13/02/2026
The PPG have been made aware of a degree of confusion amongst some patients regarding Shared Care Agreements (SCA’s). Here is a short explanation with useful links:
Shared Care Agreements (SCAs) are formal, voluntary arrangements within the NHS that allow for the sharing of prescribing and monitoring responsibilities for a patient's treatment between a hospital specialist and a GP. They are generally used for complex, long-term conditions (e.g., ADHD, Rheumatology, Immunology) where a patient is stable on medication initiated by NHS specialists. The intention is to improve patient convenience by enabling GP prescribing while maintaining specialist oversight, but the patient must be stable on the treatment, and the specialist remains involved for ongoing reviews.
Shared Care Agreements are voluntary. GPs are not obliged to accept them and may decline if their Practice lacks capacity or they feel the arrangement is not safe. Under Integrated Care Board rules the initial diagnosis must be made by the NHS due to governance, safety, and capacity concerns. GP Practices cannot enter into a Shared Care Agreement with a private practice for the same reason.
Despite the large increase in demand SCA’s for ADHD must also meet these criteria. If, despite the long waiting list, the initial diagnosis and treatment is made by the NHS, an SCA is possible. If the initial diagnosis and treatment is made by a private specialist to avoid the waiting list, then the ongoing monitoring and treatment falls to the specialist provider and a Shared Care Agreement cannot be made. The patient (or their parent or guardian) also bears the cost of treatment/medications prescribed by the private provider.
Further information may be found at the following links:
For Danes Camp https://www.danescampsurgery.nhs.uk/2025/06/25/adhd/
For The Parks group https://www.theparksmedicalpractice.co.uk/2025/06/26/adhd/
