Shared Care Agreements: An Overview and Our Practice’s Policy Update
What Are Shared Care Agreements?
Shared care agreements are a critical aspect of collaborative healthcare, enabling different healthcare providers to share the responsibility for a patient’s treatment. These agreements often involve a specialist and a general practitioner (GP), working together to ensure that a patient receives the most comprehensive care possible. The specialist, typically based in a hospital or clinic, initiates treatment and then works alongside the GP to continue patient care in the community. This approach ensures that patients benefit from expert advice while receiving ongoing support closer to home.
Policy Update on Shared Care Agreements
We wish to inform our patients and referring specialists of an important update to our shared care agreement policy. After a thorough review of our capacity, resources, and the guidelines set forth by the British Medical Association (BMA) and the General Medical Council (GMC), we have made the following adjustments:
- Continuation of Shared Care Agreements with Local NHS Commissioned Services: We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to shared care agreements in collaboration with local NHS specialist services. For the vast majority of our patients, this means there will be no change in the way your care is managed and provided. We will continue to work closely with local NHS specialists to ensure seamless and comprehensive care for all conditions covered by these agreements.
- Update on Shared Care Agreements with Private Sector Consultants: Due to the specific challenges and constraints associated with shared care prescribing involving private sector consultants, including funding and resource allocation, we have made the difficult decision to no longer accept new shared care prescribing requests from the private sector. This change is aimed at ensuring we can maintain the highest standards of care for all our patients, within the scope of services we are commissioned to provide.
Options for Patients Affected by This Change:
- Patients currently under the care of a private specialist who wish to explore shared care options are advised to continue receiving their prescriptions directly from their private provider.
- Alternatively, patients may consider transferring their care to an NHS specialist, where possible, to facilitate a shared care arrangement with our practice.
- We are committed to supporting our patients through this transition and encourage those with concerns or questions to reach out to us for guidance and assistance.
Our Dedication to Patient Care
This policy update reflects our ongoing dedication to patient safety, high-quality care, and the sustainable provision of healthcare services. We understand that changes to our policies may impact our patients and their families, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
For further information, or if you have any questions regarding this update, please do not hesitate to contact our practice. Your health and well-being remain our top priority, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all our patients receive the best possible care.
Our Approach to ADHD Medication and Shared Care Requests from Private Providers
At Willows, we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient. All our clinicians follow the General Medical Council (GMC) standards and NHS guidance to ensure that any treatment or prescription is clinically appropriate and safe.
Why We Don’t Accept Shared Care Agreements from Private ADHD Providers
After careful review and in line with national NHS and GMC guidance, Willows does not enter into shared care agreements for ADHD treatment with private providers, including those accessed through the Right to Choose pathway.This is not a decision we take lightly. Our priority is to protect patient safety and ensure clinical accountability in all prescribing decisions.
The key reasons for this policy are:
Clinical Safety First: ADHD medication requires careful monitoring and clear lines of responsibility. When care is initiated by a private provider, we often lack the necessary communication and clinical oversight to safely share prescribing duties.
Professional Standards: The GMC (2021) clearly states that doctors must only enter a shared care arrangement when they are confident it is safe, appropriate, and that all roles are clearly defined. This standard cannot always be met when working with independent providers.
Responsibility for Prescribing: Our clinicians are personally accountable for the medications they prescribe. For this reason, we will not automatically prescribe medication based on a private provider’s assessment, even if the referral was made under the Right to Choose scheme.
What This Means for You
If you are currently receiving ADHD care or considering an assessment through a private provider, please be aware:
We do not accept shared care or prescribe ADHD medication initiated outside the NHS.
Our clinicians can refer you to an NHS specialist for assessment and treatment, although waiting times can vary depending on local demand and service capacity.
A diagnosis made by a private provider does not automatically lead to NHS prescribing.
Options for Patients Affected by This Policy
We appreciate that this may feel challenging. Our intention is to be transparent and to support you in understanding your choices:
- Continue Private Care: You can remain under the care of your private provider for both your ADHD treatment and prescriptions.
- Transfer to NHS Specialist: If you’d like to explore shared care with us, we recommend transferring to an NHS provider. Prescribing may be possible once a shared care agreement is formally initiated by an NHS clinician.
- Change GP Practice: You have the right to register with another GP practice if you prefer. Some practices may have different policies and may choose to accept shared care from private providers. We respect your decision and will ensure a smooth transfer of your records if needed.
- Support from Our Team: We are here to help you navigate your options. If you have questions or need support with referrals, care coordination, or accessing information, please contact our team.
Our Commitment to Safe, Fair, and Transparent Care
This policy reflects our responsibility to:
- Maintain safe prescribing practices for all patients.
- Follow national guidance and professional standards.
- Provide care that is sustainable, clinically governed, and in line with our values as an NHS practice.
We thank you for your understanding and for working with us to keep patient safety at the heart of everything we do.