ADHD SHARED CARE ARRANGEMENTS

Nettlebed Surgery recognises that many patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) benefit significantly from specialist assessment, treatment and ongoing support.

We are pleased to confirm that Nettlebed Surgery participates in ADHD Shared Care arrangements and, where appropriate, can take over prescribing of ADHD medication from specialist services.

What is Shared Care?

Shared Care is a formal arrangement between a specialist ADHD service and your GP.

Under this arrangement, the specialist clinician remains responsible for:

• Confirming the diagnosis of ADHD.
• Assessing suitability for treatment.
• Initiating medication.
• Completing dose titration until treatment is stable.
• Undertaking ongoing specialist review.
• Providing advice and support regarding treatment.

Once treatment has been stabilised, the specialist may ask the GP to participate in a Shared Care Agreement.

If the request meets the requirements of the local BOB Integrated Care Board (ICB) Shared Care Protocol, Nettlebed Surgery may take over routine prescribing and agreed monitoring of ADHD medication whilst the specialist continues to provide ongoing specialist oversight.

Which providers are accepted?

We will consider Shared Care requests from:

• NHS ADHD services.
• NHS Right to Choose providers.
• Other providers operating within recognised NHS Shared Care arrangements.

Each request is considered individually to ensure that the requirements of the Shared Care Protocol have been met.

What must happen before the GP can prescribe?

Before Nettlebed Surgery can take over prescribing, the following must have been completed:

• A formal diagnosis of ADHD by an appropriately qualified specialist.
• Completion of any necessary baseline assessments and physical health checks.
• Initiation of medication by the specialist.
• Dose titration and stabilisation.
• A written Shared Care request from the specialist.
• Agreement that the specialist will continue to provide ongoing review and support.
• Completion of the Nettlebed Surgery ADHD Shared Care Agreement.

This reflects the requirements set out within local BOB ADHD Shared Care Protocols.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients receiving ADHD medication under Shared Care arrangements are expected to:

• Attend specialist review appointments.
• Attend any monitoring appointments requested by the surgery.
• Inform clinicians of any side effects or concerns.
• Request repeat prescriptions in good time.
• Remain engaged with both specialist and GP services.

The safe prescribing of ADHD medication depends upon regular monitoring and specialist review.

Why do we ask patients to sign an agreement?

The Shared Care Agreement ensures that:

• The responsibilities of the specialist, GP and patient are clearly understood.
• Monitoring requirements are completed.
• Prescribing arrangements remain safe and effective.
• Patients understand the importance of attending reviews and monitoring appointments.

This is consistent with local NHS guidance and helps ensure that treatment can continue safely within primary care.

Further Information

If you have recently been diagnosed with ADHD and would like Nettlebed Surgery to consider taking over prescribing under a Shared Care Agreement, please ask your specialist provider to send a formal Shared Care request to the practice together with confirmation that treatment has been stabilised.

Our clinical team will review the request in accordance with local NHS guidance and our ADHD Shared Care Policy.

The majority of appropriately completed Shared Care requests that meet local protocol requirements can be accommodated by the practice.