GP Practices Can Decline
A GP practice may decline shared care because of local policy, clinical concerns, incomplete information, medication instability, monitoring requirements or service limitations.
NHS Shared Care Agreement
NHS Shared Care Support for ADHD Medication, Subject to GP Acceptance.
Health Private can support patients with ADHD medication review, stabilisation and documentation that may be used to request NHS shared care with a GP. Shared care is never automatic and remains subject to GP review, local policy and GP acceptance.
Shared Care Overview
What Is an NHS Shared Care Agreement?
Shared care is an arrangement where prescribing and monitoring responsibilities may be transferred from a specialist to a GP once a patient is clinically stable and the GP agrees to accept shared care. For ADHD medication, this usually requires clear diagnosis, specialist review, medication stability, monitoring information and appropriate documentation.
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Specialist assessment: a diagnosis, medication plan and review by an appropriate specialist may be needed before shared care can be considered.
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Medication stability: GPs commonly expect evidence that medication is stable, effective and tolerated before taking over prescribing.
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GP acceptance required: Health Private can support the request, but the GP practice decides whether shared care will be accepted.
Important Clarification
Shared Care Cannot Be Guaranteed.
It is important that patients understand the limits of shared care. Health Private can provide clinical review, medication monitoring and supporting documentation where appropriate, but GP practices make their own decision about whether to accept shared care.
Medication Must Usually Be Stable
Shared care is usually considered only after medication has been reviewed, tolerated and stabilised under specialist supervision.
Private Review May Still Be Needed
Even if shared care is accepted, the GP may request ongoing specialist review, often at six-monthly or annual intervals depending on clinical need and local arrangements.
Important:
Patients should not assume that an NHS GP will automatically take over ADHD medication after a private
assessment or private prescription. Shared care is always subject to GP review and acceptance.
Shared Care Journey
The Patient Journey From Private Review to Shared Care Request.
The exact pathway depends on whether the patient already has an ADHD diagnosis, whether medication has already started, whether physical health checks are complete, and whether medication is clinically stable.
1
Initial Enquiry
The patient contacts Health Private explaining their ADHD diagnosis, current medication position, previous provider details and whether shared care has already been discussed with the GP.
2
Review of Existing Diagnosis
If diagnosis was made elsewhere, Dr Hashmi may need to review the previous ADHD diagnostic report and the evidence used to support the diagnosis.
3
Physical Health Checks
Where required, blood tests, ECG, blood pressure, height and weight may be requested before medication is initiated, continued or adjusted.
4
Psychiatric Evaluation
An online appointment with Dr Hashmi considers diagnosis, current symptoms, medication suitability, risks, benefits, side effects and the management plan.
5
Medication Review and Stabilisation
Follow-up reviews may be needed to check medication response, side effects, dose suitability, functioning and clinical stability.
6
Shared Care Documentation
Once clinically appropriate, Health Private may prepare documentation for the GP, including diagnosis, review details, medication plan and monitoring recommendations.
7
GP Review
The GP practice reviews the request and decides whether to accept shared care, request further information or decline the arrangement.
8
Ongoing Review
If shared care is accepted, ongoing specialist reviews may still be required depending on GP policy, local guidance and the patient’s clinical needs.
Before Shared Care
Medication Usually Needs to Be Reviewed and Stable First.
ADHD medication often needs careful review before shared care can be requested. This may include assessing benefit, side effects, dose suitability, blood pressure, physical health checks and whether the patient is stable enough for GP prescribing to be considered.
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Effectiveness: whether medication is improving symptoms, daily functioning, attention, organisation or emotional regulation.
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Tolerability: whether side effects, sleep, appetite, mood, anxiety or physical health issues need review.
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Stability: whether the dose and treatment plan are stable enough for a GP to consider taking over prescribing.
Why Reviews Matter
For controlled ADHD medication, GPs often expect evidence of specialist diagnosis, medication monitoring and stability before accepting NHS prescribing responsibilities.
Clinical review supports safe medication decisions.
Monitoring helps identify side effects or dose issues.
Shared care is more likely to be considered when documentation is clear.
Physical Health Checks
Blood Tests, ECG and Observations May Be Required.
Before ADHD medication is initiated or reviewed, physical health checks may be required. This can include blood tests, ECG, blood pressure, height and weight. Health Private may request these through the GP surgery or advise private testing where needed.
Important:
If required physical health checks are not completed, medication may not be prescribed or continued.
The exact checks depend on the patient’s history, medication plan and clinical circumstances.
1
GP Surgery Details
The patient may be asked to provide the GP surgery email address so requests can be sent where appropriate.
2
Blood Tests
Blood tests may include checks such as full blood count, liver function, thyroid profile, urea and electrolytes, vitamin levels or other tests where clinically indicated.
3
ECG and Observations
ECG, blood pressure, height and weight may be needed before medication is started, adjusted or reviewed.
4
Review Before Prescribing
Dr Hashmi reviews clinical suitability, results and risk factors before making medication decisions.
If GP Accepts Shared Care
What Happens If Shared Care Is Accepted?
If a GP accepts shared care, prescribing may transfer to the GP under agreed arrangements. However, ongoing specialist input may still be required depending on clinical need and GP policy.
GP Prescribing
The GP may take over prescribing responsibility under the agreed shared care arrangement, subject to their own requirements.
Specialist Reviews
Six-monthly or annual reviews may be requested to review effectiveness, side effects and ongoing suitability.
Changes May Need Specialist Input
Medication changes, dose changes or side effect concerns may need further specialist review before the shared care plan can be updated.
If GP Declines Shared Care
What If the GP Does Not Accept Shared Care?
If shared care is declined, Health Private can explain available options. Depending on the situation, the patient may continue privately, speak with the GP about referral to an NHS ADHD clinic, or explore local NHS pathways where available.
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Private continuation: medication review and prescribing may continue privately where clinically appropriate.
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NHS referral discussion: the patient can speak with their GP about referral to a local NHS ADHD clinic or mental health service where available.
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Further documentation: where appropriate, additional clinical information may be provided if the GP requests clarification.
Important to Know
Health Private cannot force a GP practice to accept shared care. The decision sits with the GP practice and may depend on local NHS policy, clinical risk, monitoring requirements and practice capacity.
Shared care can be requested, not guaranteed.
GPs may ask for more information before deciding.
Private care may continue if shared care is declined.
Preparing for Shared Care
Information That May Help Avoid Delays.
Patients can help the process by checking early with their GP practice and making sure relevant information is available before a shared care request is made.
Speak With Your GP Early
- Ask whether the practice considers ADHD shared care requests
- Confirm whether they have a local shared care policy
- Ask what information they would need from the specialist
- Inform Health Private of the GP response
Prepare Clinical Information
- Previous ADHD diagnostic report if diagnosed elsewhere
- Medication history and response
- Current dose and side effects if already prescribed
- Blood tests, ECG or observations where requested
Understand the Limitations
- Shared care is subject to GP acceptance
- Medication should usually be stable first
- Further specialist reviews may still be required
- Private prescribing may continue if shared care is declined
Related Fees
ADHD Review and Shared Care Support Fees.
Initial adult assessment, including urgent where suitable and available
£500
Children initial assessment
£600
Adult follow-up appointment
£250
Children follow-up appointment
£300
Second opinion regarding diagnosis
From £750 onwards
For second opinions, report review, shared care documentation or specialist instructions, please email info@health-private.co.uk for a quotation.
View All Fees
Emergency notice:
Health Private is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger,
call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. For urgent mental health support in the UK, contact NHS 111
or your local crisis team.