Shared care is a process whereby responsibility for a patient’s medication is shared between a GP and a consultant. In such cases, the consultant assesses the patient’s suitability for the medication, performs any necessary baseline investigations, and provides full counselling on the medication. The consultant then prescribes the medication and adjusts the dose until the patient is stable.
Once the patient is stable, the consultant writes to the GP to request consideration of shared care. If the GP accepts, they take over the prescribing and monitoring of the patient, notifying the consultant if any issues arise. The patient must remain under the care of the consultant. For shared care to be valid, there must also be a written agreement outlining the duties and responsibilities of each party.
The primary goal of shared care is to facilitate appropriate clinical oversight and maintain patient safety, all in the best interests of the patient.
It should be noted, however, that shared care is entirely voluntary for GPs, and they are not obliged to participate.
We do not participate in shared care arrangements with private providers, in line with BMA guidance:
“Shared care with private providers is not recommended due to the general NHS Constitution principle of keeping as clear a separation as possible between private and NHS care. Shared care is currently set up as an NHS service, and entering into a shared care arrangement may have implications regarding governance and quality assurance, as well as promoting health inequalities. A private patient seeking access to shared care should therefore have their care fully transferred to the NHS. Shared care may be appropriate where private providers are delivering commissioned NHS services and where appropriate shared care arrangements are in place.”
We will consider patients referred to private providers under the NHS Right to Choose Scheme on an individual basis. We get a lot of questions regarding ADHD providers. For an up-to-date list of providers participating in the Right to Choose Scheme for ADHD, please follow this link: https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/