You may have heard both terms and wondered if they mean the same thing. They do not. Here is the plain-English difference, and how it affects who you book.
Dr Jaspreet Saini, Rosedale Medical Practice, West Pennant Hills. Looking after local families since 1997.
The short answer
In NSW, GPs can take on ADHD care at two levels. Each level has its own training and its own scope.
An endorsed prescriber GP can do the whole job. That means assessing you, diagnosing ADHD and starting treatment where it is appropriate.
A continuation prescriber GP carries on treatment that is already working. Your diagnosis is in place, and your dose has been steady for a while.
What an endorsed GP can do
An endorsed GP has completed the extra NSW training and approval for this work. They can take a person from first question to first treatment.
That includes the detailed assessment, the diagnosis and the decision to start treatment. They can also care for people who need to restart after a break.
If you have never been assessed, this is the level you need to see first.
Good to know
Adults 18 and over can book directly. You do not need a referral.
What a continuation GP can do
A continuation GP also completes formal NSW training. Their role is steady, ongoing care once treatment is set up.
They review how you are going, check your health and keep your treatment plan going. Most people need this kind of care for years.
Generally, you need an existing diagnosis, current treatment and a stable dose for at least three months before this pathway fits.
Why the difference matters when you book
Booking with the wrong level can cost you time. A continuation GP cannot start your assessment. An endorsed GP can start one, and can also guide you to the right ongoing care.
So ask yourself two things. Do I already have a diagnosis? And am I already on treatment that has been steady for three months or more?
If you answered no to either, start with an endorsed GP. If you answered yes to both, a continuation visit may suit you.
How this works at Rosedale
At Rosedale, Dr Jaspreet Saini is our endorsed GP. He does assessments, diagnoses and treatment starts for adults.
Dr Nicky Kathuria and Dr Natasha Paul provide continuation care. Dr Priya Ashwath provides continuation care by telehealth only.
Ongoing care is usually by telehealth once things are settled. Your first assessment is in person at our practice in West Pennant Hills.
Related reading
- Do I have ADHD, or am I addicted to my phone?
- ADHD and anxiety: how to tell the difference
- ADHD or sleep apnoea? Symptoms and overlap
- Adult ADHD assessment at Rosedale
Where to find the full picture
Our ADHD pathways page walks through each starting point, from a first assessment to a restart.
If you want the history of what changed in NSW and when, read our guide to the NSW ADHD GP reforms.
If you already have a diagnosis and stable treatment, see ADHD continuation care in West Pennant Hills.
Common questions
Can a continuation GP diagnose ADHD?
No. A continuation GP looks after people who already have a diagnosis and are on steady treatment. A new assessment needs an endorsed GP.
Is an endorsed GP the same as a psychiatrist?
No. An endorsed GP is a GP who has completed extra NSW training and approval. A psychiatrist is a different type of doctor. Many adults can be assessed and treated by an endorsed GP.
I was diagnosed years ago. Which GP do I see?
It depends on your treatment history. If you are on a stable dose for three months or more, continuation may fit. If not, an endorsed GP can look at starting or restarting treatment.
Do I need a referral to see an endorsed GP?
Adults 18 and over can book directly at Rosedale. No referral is needed.
Not sure which door is yours?
Our free two-minute fit check points you to the right starting point. There is no pressure to book.
Try the fit check →Medically reviewed by Dr Jaspreet Saini, FRACGP, 8 October 2026