ADHD Assessment and Management

Cairns Health Collective provides ADHD assessment and management services for adolescents and adults in Cairns and Far North Queensland.ADHD assessment is a structured clinical process. It is not a single appointment or a quick prescription pathway. The process involves information gathering, clinical history, screening tools, physical baseline checks and follow-up care where appropriate.

Patients are guided through each step so they understand what is required, what documents are needed and what to expect before treatment options are discussed.

ADHD Assessment Pathway

Initial Planning Consultation

The first step is a 15-minute planning consultation. This appointment helps establish your individual assessment pathway, confirms financial consent and explains the clinical and regulatory requirements involved.

Information Gathering

After your planning appointment, you will receive digital questionnaires to complete through Novo Psych. These forms are an important part of the assessment process and should be completed before your follow-up appointment.

You may also be asked to complete pathology, including blood tests and a urine drug screen.

Clinical Assessment

Your doctor will complete a detailed clinical history and symptom assessment. This may take one or more longer consultations, depending on your individual circumstances.

The assessment explores current symptoms, history, function, previous diagnoses and other factors that may be relevant to your care.

Physical Baseline Checks

Before a diagnosis and treatment plan are finalised, physical baseline observations may be required. This can include height, weight, blood pressure and an ECG.

Results and Management Plan

Once the required information has been reviewed, your doctor will discuss the assessment outcome with you. This may include education about ADHD, treatment options and a management plan tailored to your needs.

Ongoing Care

If ongoing treatment is appropriate, regular follow-up appointments are required. Reviews may occur after one month, then monthly or six-monthly once medication and management are stable.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Having the right information ready helps avoid delays.

You may be asked to provide:

• Previous psychiatrist or paediatrician reports, if you have already been diagnosed with ADHD.
• School reports, particularly for first-time assessments.
• An observer form completed by someone close to you, such as a partner or family member.
• Completed digital questionnaires through Novo Psych.
• Required pathology, including a urine drug screen where relevant.

Please allow around 45 to 60 minutes to complete your digital forms in a quiet space.

Required forms must be submitted before your follow-up appointment. If forms or tests are missing, your appointment may still proceed, but the ADHD assessment process may be delayed and additional appointments may be required.

What to Expect

ADHD diagnosis and prescribing are strictly regulated. Your doctor must follow a structured clinical process before confirming a diagnosis or considering medication.

An ADHD assessment does not guarantee an ADHD diagnosis. In some cases, other health concerns may be identified and discussed. These may require further appointments, referrals or a different treatment plan.

Medication is not always prescribed. Treatment decisions are based on clinical assessment, safety considerations and individual suitability.

Cairns Health Collective’s clinic policy requires a choice between stimulant therapy and medicinal cannabis, as these are not prescribed concurrently.

If You Already Have an ADHD Diagnosis

Patients who already have documentation of an ADHD diagnosis may not need a full re-assessment.

Existing reports must be provided and discussed during the planning appointment. Your doctor will review the information and determine whether ongoing prescribing or management is suitable.

Fees

All fees are payable before the consultation. Medicare rebates may apply.

Patients who reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold may receive higher rebates for the rest of the year.

Cancellation Policy

To respect the doctor’s time and waitlisted patients, non-attendance or late cancellations may incur a fee of up to the full consultation cost.

Please provide adequate notice if you need to reschedule your appointment.

ADHD Resources

Useful ADHD resources include:

• ADHD Australia
• ADHD Support Australia
• AADPA
• Brain Foundation
• CHADD

Book an ADHD Appointment

To begin the process, book an initial 15-minute planning consultation. This first appointment helps your doctor understand your needs and outline the next steps in your assessment pathway.

Learn More About ADHD Assessment and Management