ADHD Shared Care with GPs

Shared care is a collaborative arrangement in which a paediatrician and a general practitioner work together to support a child with ADHD. The paediatrician remains involved in the child's care and provides oversight, while the GP participates in ongoing management closer to the family's home. The aim is to improve access and continuity for families across the Hunter region, while keeping specialist input available where it is needed.

Roles are agreed clearly for each child, and correspondence keeps all parties informed. This helps reduce duplication and supports timely, coordinated care.

Demand for paediatric ADHD assessment and review is high across the Hunter region. A shared care approach can improve access and continuity by making use of the strengths of both general practice and specialist paediatrics. Families benefit from care that is closer to home and more readily available, while retaining the involvement of a paediatrician for oversight and for the parts of care that require specialist input.

In a shared care arrangement, the general practitioner takes part in ongoing management, including routine review and support for the family between specialist appointments. The paediatrician sets the overall direction of care, remains available for advice, and reviews the child as clinically required. The specific division of tasks is agreed for each child and documented so that everyone, including the family, understands who is responsible for what.

Suitability for shared care is determined on a case by case basis by the paediatrician, taking into account the individual child's needs and the stability of their presentation. More complex presentations may remain specialist led. If you are unsure whether a particular patient is suitable, our team is happy to discuss this with you.

When you refer a patient into shared care, you can expect to receive written correspondence following appointments, along with management plans that set out the agreed approach and each party's role. This keeps you informed and supports your ongoing care of the patient.

To help us triage and plan care efficiently, it is helpful if referrals include the reason for referral and the specific concerns, a relevant developmental, medical and family history, any current medications, and copies of previous reports such as school, psychology or allied health documents. With the family's consent, information about how the child is presenting at school is also valuable. Complete referrals help reduce delays and support timely, coordinated care.

Referrals can be sent to Hunter Children's Clinics by fax or email using the contact details below. Please include relevant history and any existing reports. Once a referral is received, our team will be in touch regarding next steps.

• Phone: 02 4072 1877 / 02 4072 1721
• Fax: 02 4027 5754
• Email: admin@hcc.com.au

For enquiries about referring into ADHD shared care, please contact our team on 02 4072 1877 during office hours, Monday to Friday.

Who can refer a patient into ADHD shared care?

General practitioners can refer children and adolescents into shared care with Hunter Children's Clinics. Please include relevant history and any existing reports with your referral.

What correspondence will I receive as a referrer?

Referrers receive written correspondence following appointments and management plans that set out the agreed approach and each party's role in the child's ongoing care.

How do I send a referral?

Referrals can be sent by fax to 02 4027 5754 or by email to admin@hcc.com.au. For enquiries, please call 02 4072 1877 during office hours, Monday to Friday.