Welcome to the ADHD emergency prescription service.  

Virtual Emergency Department (VED) in conjunction with Virtual Specialist Consults (VSC) will provide short-term access to ADHD prescriptions for people with an existing ADHD diagnosis who require urgent access to medication and cannot access their usual treating clinician. This service was developed as part of the Victorian Government reforms aimed to improve access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) care for Victorians.

The service is designed to act as a safety net, not a replacement for routine or ongoing ADHD care.

Eligibility criteria:
✓ Existing diagnosis of ADHD
✓ Current medication treatment plan
✓ No supply of medication or not enough medication to last until your next appointment with usual doctor
✓ Current location is the state of Victoria, Australia
✓ A valid email address with access to internet and video technology to support the virtual consultation
What we offer
✓ Free of charge consultation with an authorised prescribing Specialist – Psychiatrist (adults) or Paediatrician (children)
✓ Pharmacist review prior to prescribing appointment for adults
✓ Urgent medication re-fill prescription for people with an existing diagnosis of ADHD
✓ Provide up to 30-day supply of medication to support continued treatment where your usual doctor is not available
✓ Additional support with navigating care pathways to promote continuation of care in the community
We are unable to offer
✕ A script to a person without a diagnosis of ADHD
✕ Multiple emergency scripts (limited to one urgent 30 day prescription in a 6-month period)
✕ A script to someone living outside of Victoria
✕ Diagnosis or ongoing care for ADHD
✕ Stimulant medication for other medical conditions (e.g. narcolepsy)

Our adult service will go live on the 15th September 2026.  For urgent mental health support, please reach out to your usual care provider or register for VED and we can help direct you to the most appropriate service.

Urgent ADHD script renewal

Self-Referral consult:

book a consult

1. Submit a self-referral

Click on the booking link and provide the information requested.

2. Confirmation

You will receive a confirmation email outlining the details of your appointment. Please note that for adult patients, this will be your appointment to complete the pharmacy review prior to your consultation with our Psychiatry Specialist. Your appointment may be cancelled beforehand if the details you provided are missing or incomplete.

3. Video Consultation

Children and their carer will meet with one of our Paediatricians.

Adults will meet with our Pharmacist via video call at your booked time to discuss your current medication treatment plan. The pharmacist will then complete the booking for your next appointment with the Psychiatrist and provide them with the additional information gathered to support safe prescribing practices.

4. Prescribing

It is at the discretion of our Specialist whether or not to proceed with a prescription. This decision will be based on their clinical assessment. Where a decision is made to not proceed with a prescription, our Specialist will discuss their reason and provide other options for support.

Who can prescribe my ADHD medication?

Psychiatrists and Paediatricians are authorised to prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. This is due to their high level of expertise and experience with ADHD management including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

General Practitioners are able to prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD only where an appropriate permit has been issued. Specialist involvement is necessary for the diagnosis and ongoing management of all ADHD patients. General practitioners will generally only be issued with permits to prescribe dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate where there is evidence of a specialist diagnosis and that a specialist review has taken place within a specified period.

Do you offer diagnosis of ADHD

No. We do not offer diagnosis of ADHD via the self referral page, diagnosis is only available to paediatric patients and only via GP co-consult through our main site vsconsults.org.au

Why do adult clients need a pharmacy review prior to appointment?

We are committed to providing a safe service to ensure people diagnosed with ADHD have continued access to this service. There are additional risk factors for adults with ADHD in relation to medication prescribing, which is why the benefit of an additional review by a skilled Pharmacist has been included.

What if I am unable to access ongoing care in the community?

We can provide additional Specialist support to GPs to ensure continued care through our VSC co-consult service. Please discuss your needs with our Specialist at the time of your appointment for information on other options available.

Is the consultation Medicare funded?

Yes. This service is funded, so there is no cost to you. However the medication will still have some cost as the PBS scheme does not cover the entire cost of medication.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child but stopped taking medication. I am looking to start treatment again, what should I do?

If you have stopped taking your medication for greater than 2 weeks, you will not be eligible for the ADHD emergency prescription service. We recommend you start by discussing your needs with your usual GP. VSC offers a co-consultation service with our Psychiatry and Paediatric Specialists to support GPs with early intervention and treatment options, particularly to ease the gap between referral and appointment for high demand services such as ADHD management.

My child has been assessed and diagnosed with ADHD but is unable to start treatment due to the wait time to see a Paediatrician. What should I do?

Please visit your GP and request they book a VSC co-consult with one of our Paediatricians. Our highly skilled team of Specialists will be able to support your GP with a ‘shared care’ model to develop a care plan while you wait for your planned appointment.

Where can I access more information on the ADHD reforms?

You can access more information on the Victorian Government’s ADHD reforms here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-care/adhd-care-in-general-practice

Where can I find more information about SafeScript?

You can access more information on SafeScript here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/drugs-and-poisons/safescript-for-patients-and-families