If you’re diagnosed with ADHD privately and start medication, you’ll probably hear the phrase “shared care”. Here’s what it means and what to expect.
What is a shared care agreement?
It’s a formal arrangement between a specialist and your GP. Once your treatment is stable, your GP takes over writing your prescriptions and doing routine checks, while the specialist stays responsible for reviewing your treatment, usually once a year.
For you, that means getting your ADHD medication through your GP at the usual NHS prescription charge (or free, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), rather than paying for private prescriptions.
When can shared care start?
Not straight away. First your specialist finds the right medication and dose through titration, which usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. Once you’re settled and your health checks are stable, the specialist writes to your GP to ask whether they’ll share your care.
Why might a GP say no?
Shared care is voluntary. A GP may decline if they don’t feel confident managing ADHD medication, if their local area doesn’t support shared care with private providers, or if they have concerns about how the diagnosis was made. A clear, detailed report from an assessment that followed NICE guidance makes agreement more likely.
What happens if my GP declines?
Your treatment doesn’t need to stop. Your specialist can continue prescribing privately, and you pay a prescription fee plus the pharmacy’s charge for the medicine. You can ask your GP to reconsider later, especially if your circumstances change.
Your part in shared care
- Go to your reviews, including the annual review with your specialist
- Keep up with blood pressure, pulse and weight checks
- Tell your GP and specialist about any side effects or changes in your health
- Order repeat prescriptions in good time, as prescriptions for some ADHD medicines are usually limited to 30 days’ supply