Referral Information for GPs

How to Refer to NZTN

We are currently listed on the following referral platforms:

• ERMS (NZ Telepsych Network) and
• SR Referrals (The New Zealand Telepsych Network).

If you are not a user of ERMS or SR Referrals, please send referrals to referrals@telepsychnetwork.nz and we will contact the client to start the assessment process.

The Ideal Referral

Referrals to our service should include:

• Patient email address and phone number
• Past medical history
• Mental health history (or lack thereof)
• Substance use history (or lack thereof)
• Diagnostic and follow-up letters (if any)
• Response to medication, if applicable, and the presence or absence of side effects or concerns about misuse or diversion
• Recent blood tests
• Any other relevant investigations e.g. sleep studies, and specialist reports

If we receive this information in your referral, we will be able to proceed quickly and without needing to reach out to your team for more information.

Nurse Practitioner available to Prescribe

To support doctors who prefer not to manage stimulant medication prescriptions, we now have a Nurse Practitioner who is available to prescribe.

To safely begin ADHD stimulant medication, we require some baseline health checks. These help us to identify any underlying health issues, ensure the medication is appropriate, and support safe prescribing.

• GP referral must include:
  • Current medication
  • Medical history
  • Blood tests, including:
    • Full blood count
    • Thyroid function
    • Liver function
    • Kidney function
    • Metabolic measures (such as blood glucose levels)
    • Urine toxicology (for individuals who are currently using methamphetamine or other illicit substances)
  • ECG (heart tracing) if client has:
    • A personal history of heart problems, or
    • A family history of heart attack or other cardiac conditions