At St Clements Surgery, we are committed to providing fair and equitable healthcare to all our patients. With this guiding principle in mind, we have recently undertaken a review of our policies regarding the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the prescribing of ADHD medications, alongside any other private Shared Care Agreements.
What is Shared Care?
A shared care agreement (SCA) is an agreement between you (the patient), your GP, and your specialist. It enables the care and treatment you receive to be shared between the specialist and your GP. This will only occur:
– with your agreement
– and the agreement of the GP
– and when your medication is stable.
A document is then sent by the specialist asking the GP to share the care of a patient. The specialist must agree to provide assessments, titrations, and stabilisation of medication for the patient, and continue to provide annual reviews to the patient and advice should the GP request it.
A GP will not agree to take on shared care unless deemed appropriate, and until a patient’s treatment has been commenced and stabilised.
Shared care is not something a GP is legally bound to sign, it is a ‘professional courtesy’ that GPs often sign to help patients continue to receive convenient care. A GP is fully entitled to refuse sharing care if they are not happy with the burden of responsibility it puts on them, and then the specialist must take full responsibility for prescribing and any necessary monitoring.
Our Decision:
Central to our updated policy is the understanding that equitable access to care is paramount. Therefore, in accordance with the BMA guidance, we have made the decision to discontinue taking on new Share Care prescribing that has been recommended by consultants seen privately. This adjustment ensures that all patients receive consistent and standardised care, regardless of their route to diagnosis or treatment.
The most common of these agreements that we are asked to enter pertain to ADHD medications. It is crucial to recognise that the management of ADHD, particularly through medication, necessitates regular monitoring and specialist oversight. While we remain dedicated to delivering high-quality care to our patients, our resources and capabilities may not extend to providing the specialised monitoring required for patients diagnosed and treated privately.
As such, we kindly request that patients who receive a diagnosis of ADHD through private consultation continue to seek medication prescriptions from their private specialists. This approach ensures that individuals receive the comprehensive care they deserve, tailored to their specific needs and under the supervision of a specialist equipped to provide ongoing support and monitoring.
What are your options?
- Request that we refer you through the NHS pathway – please complete an online triage form.
- It is possible to change GP surgery, though it is important to make sure that a new GP will accept shared care before you do so.
- You can carry on being prescribed (& monitored) by a private specialist
At St Clements Surgery, we are committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity and fairness in healthcare delivery. Our decision to update our SCA Policy and prescribing practices reflects this commitment, prioritising the well-being and equitable treatment of all our patients.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we strive to provide the best possible care to our community.