Shared Care

Summary: Once your child’s medication is stable, we can work alongside their GP through ‘Shared Care’. This means their GP will issue prescriptions for them and we’ll work together to monitor and review how your child’s getting on.  

• What Shared Care is 

• How Shared Care works 

• How to set up Shared Care 

• If your child’s GP refuses Shared Care 

• Your options if Shared Care isn't possible 

• FAQs 

This article only applies to patients diagnosed with ADHD, or ADHD together with other conditions like autism – where treatment is often different. 

Shared Care is an arrangement between us and your child's GP to manage your child's ADHD treatment together. 

Once titration is complete and your child's medication has been stable for 8 weeks or more, we can request a Shared Care agreement with their GP. Lots of families choose to do this because prescriptions are easier to request and collect through a GP's repeat prescription service. 

Your child’s GP will issue prescriptions and support with day-to-day management, but this stays a collaborative process – they'll prescribe under our specialist guidance. We'll check in with an annual review each year, bringing this forward if any changes to their medication are needed. 

You'll pay the NHS prescription rate for your child's medication – currently £9.90 per item, or free if your child's eligible. Their annual review is free under NHS Right to Choose and £140 for private patients, with extra reviews added if any changes to their medication are needed. 

Once your child's medication is stable, we'll send a Shared Care agreement to their GP as part of our titration service. We'd recommend checking with your child's GP surgery first to make sure they're open to this – it can save a lot of time later on. 

Once you've made your request, you don't need to do anything else. We'll handle the agreement and let you know once it's in place. 

If their GP agrees, they'll take over prescribing under our specialist guidance, and you'll pay the NHS prescription rate – currently £9.90 per item, or free if your child's eligible. 

Some GPs decline Shared Care agreements. If that happens, there are a few things you can do: 

• Speak to your child’s GP or practice manager 
  You can explain that we’re an NHS-accredited provider registered with the CQC. Sometimes that conversation is all it takes. 

• You can submit a formal complaint to your child’s GP practice 
  It can sometimes help the practice review their decision. 

• Contact your Integrated Care Board (ICB) 
  ICBs oversee healthcare in your area. They may be able to help, or influence local policies on Shared Care. 

• Consider changing your child’s GP  
  f Shared Care can't be agreed, you may wish to register with a different GP practice. Look for one that supports Shared Care for children with ADHD. We can't help you change GP practices, and this isn't always easy or possible. 

We don't have the same access to your child's medical history as their GP does. Because of this, we may ask you to sign a waiver before we can prescribe without their GP's oversight. We take this seriously, and carry out strict safety checks before prescribing. 

One of our families has also shared a template letter that's helped some people challenge a GP's decision to refuse Shared Care. While we can't take credit for the letter, it may be worth trying – please get in touch if you'd like a copy. 

NHS (Right to Choose): 

If your child's GP has referred them to us for assessment but won't agree to a Shared Care arrangement for their medication, don't worry – we won't turn you away. We'll continue prescribing beyond your child's initial titration period, so you're not left without support. 

You'll pay the standard NHS prescription charge (£9.90) at our partner pharmacy. Annual reviews are included at no extra cost, and extra appointments may also be available to you. 

Private: 

Each prescription costs a £20 admin fee (paid directly to us) plus your medication cost, which is typically £75–£160/month (paid to the pharmacy). Appointments and annual reviews are £140 each. 

Do I have to set up Shared Care for my child? 
You will if your child's on Right to Choose. If your child's a private patient, this is completely your choice. If you'd prefer your child to continue with a private prescription through us, that's absolutely fine. Shared Care is simply the cheapest option for most families once titration is complete. 

What if my child's GP refuses Shared Care? 
There are several steps you can take – see the "If your child's GP refuses Shared Care" section above. If Shared Care isn't possible, we can continue prescribing privately, and NHS Right to Choose patients should still be covered at NHS rates. 

Will I still need to see you if my child's GP takes over prescribing? 
Yes. You'll have an annual review with us each year to make sure your child's prescription is still right for them. This is free for NHS Right to Choose patients and £140 for private patients. 

Can my child still be referred if their GP doesn't agree to Shared Care? 
Yes. We currently accept referrals regardless of whether your child's GP provides Shared Care agreements.