Specialist psychiatry for general practice.
Refer a patient you’re already managing. We assess them in person, then send you a letter with the diagnosis, a step-by-step medication plan and clear points for re-referral. Care stays with you.
- In-person assessment
- 60–90 minutes
- Letter to you
- Within 72 hours
- Clinics in Auckland
- Weekends
Questions GPs ask first
Who prescribes?
You do. The plan sets out medications, doses, titration and monitoring so you can prescribe with confidence. If a medication needs specialist initiation, the letter will say so.
How quickly do I get the letter?
Within 72 hours of the appointment, with the diagnosis, formulation and a step-by-step management plan.
Is this a crisis service?
No. Patients at acute risk should be referred to your local Health NZ specialist mental health service. In an emergency, call 111.
Can patients self-refer?
No. This is a GP shared-care service, so referrals come from the patient’s GP.
What we offer
- Diagnostic assessment
- A full psychiatric assessment with formulation and a written management plan.
- Medication review
- For treatment-resistant presentations, complex polypharmacy, or a second opinion.
- GP case discussion
- Talk through a patient with a psychiatrist. The patient doesn’t need to attend.
- Shared-care follow-up
- Brief specialist reviews while you continue day-to-day care and prescribing.
Who to refer
A good fit
- Depression and anxiety not responding to first-line treatment
- Diagnostic uncertainty, for example bipolar spectrum versus unipolar
- Medication questions in pregnancy, older adults or complex comorbidity
- Patients stable after secondary care who are being discharged to you
Refer elsewhere
- Acute risk to self or others
- Acute psychosis or mania needing urgent care
- Situations needing the Mental Health Act
- Under-18s
Refer these to your local Health NZ specialist mental health service. In an emergency, call 111.
Referring takes a standard letter by secure email. No forms to fill in.
How to refer