Shared Care Prescribing and Monitoring – Our Approach

We want to make sure all patients get safe and consistent care. Because of this, our policy is to  only share care (when your GP prescribes specialist medication and undertakes monitoring recommended by a specialist, and you also remain under specialist support) with NHS providers and if there is an NHS funded local shared care arrangement in place.

• NHS funded local shared care arrangements are available for some conditions (such as ADHD, inflammatory arthritis and a number of other conditions and medications).
• NHS funded local shared care arrangements are not currently available  at present for some other specialist treatments unfortunately (such as gender-affirming care). We continue to advocate for more specialist service provision.

This means:

• If you ask us to take over prescribing from a private provider, under a shared care agreement.
  – We cannot do this until you have been seen by an NHS service- we can refer you to an NHS service if you wish.
  – We can only do this where there are NHS funded shared care arrangements in place.

This is to make sure there is full assessment, support, and timely review by the specialist.

• If you are moving into the area and have been under private care with private prescriptions
  – You will need to continue to get your prescriptions and monitoring with your private provider (unless you ask us to refer you into the NHS).
• If you are moving into the area and already have private specialist/GP shared care
  – You will need to arrange to get your medication and monitoring through your private provider, or, if you are a student, stay with your home GP if possible.
  – We can refer you into an NHS service (for example The Retreat for ADHD) and once you are seen, we can then arrange shared care prescribing and monitoring.
• If you are moving into the area and have NHS specialist/GP shared care
  – If there is a funded local arrangement where the specialist will share care at the point of making the referral (for example ADHD care at the Retreat in York) we will continue the shared care arrangement once you are referred locally.

We understand this can feel frustrating, but this policy is in place to keep care safe, consistent, and fair for all patients. We will always explain your options clearly and help with NHS referrals where appropriate.