Shared Care with GPs
Coordinated prescribing with clear communication and clinical oversight.
Clear communication and coordinated treatment planning with your GP where shared-care arrangements are clinically appropriate.
Arrangements depend on clinical suitability, required monitoring, local prescribing policy and the GP agreeing to participate.
What Shared Care Means
Specialist and GP care working together where appropriate.
Shared care is an arrangement in which responsibility for aspects of ongoing prescribing and monitoring may be shared between a specialist and a patient’s GP.
It is usually considered only after the diagnosis has been established, treatment has been initiated where appropriate and the medication and dose are clinically stable.
Regent Psychiatry can provide the specialist information required to support a shared-care request, but acceptance remains at the discretion of the GP and may also depend on local NHS or practice policy.
When Shared Care May Be Considered
A longer-term prescribing arrangement after clinical stabilisation.
Shared care is not automatic. Each case is considered individually and depends on clinical stability, monitoring requirements and GP agreement.
Assessment completed
A relevant diagnosis has been established following an appropriate specialist assessment.
Medication established
The medication has been initiated where clinically appropriate and the treatment plan is clear.
Dose clinically stable
The dose has been titrated and is considered stable enough for longer-term prescribing arrangements to be discussed.
Required checks completed
Relevant clinical and physical monitoring has been completed and an ongoing monitoring plan is defined.
GP receives clear information
The GP is provided with appropriate treatment information, monitoring requirements and specialist contact arrangements.
GP accepts shared care
The arrangement proceeds only where the GP agrees to take on the proposed prescribing and monitoring responsibilities.
Before a Shared-Care Request
Clinical stability and clear documentation come first.
Before shared care is requested, the specialist considers whether the treatment is sufficiently established and whether ongoing care can be safely coordinated with primary care.
Diagnosis and treatment rationale are clearly documented
Medication and dosage have been appropriately established
Relevant side effects and treatment response have been reviewed
Required physical observations or investigations are up to date
Ongoing monitoring requirements are clearly defined
The patient understands the proposed arrangement
The GP receives appropriate specialist information
A route back to specialist review remains available where required
Coordinated Responsibilities
Clear roles for the specialist, GP and patient.
The exact responsibilities depend on the medication, the shared-care arrangement and local prescribing requirements.
Clinical oversight
Provides specialist assessment, treatment recommendations, relevant monitoring guidance and review when specialist input is required.
Primary-care prescribing
Where agreed, the GP may take responsibility for ongoing prescriptions and specified monitoring within the accepted shared-care arrangement.
Active participation
Attends required reviews, completes agreed monitoring and reports significant side effects, health changes or treatment concerns.
Shared-Care Pathway
A clear process from stabilisation to ongoing prescribing.
Timescales vary according to treatment stability, monitoring needs and the GP practice’s process for considering shared-care requests.
Complete titration and establish a suitable treatment plan.
Medication response, tolerability and relevant monitoring are reviewed before shared care is considered.
Send appropriate information to the GP.
The GP receives relevant clinical information and the proposed prescribing and monitoring arrangements.
The GP considers whether to accept shared care.
Acceptance is not guaranteed and may depend on clinical, practice and local prescribing policies.
Continue agreed monitoring and specialist review.
Specialist review may remain necessary even after shared care has been established.
If Shared Care Is Not Accepted
Your GP is not required to accept a shared-care request.
Some GP practices may be unable or unwilling to take on shared-care prescribing. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including local prescribing policy or practice-level arrangements.
If shared care is declined, Regent Psychiatry can discuss the available private prescribing and follow-up options with you.
Ongoing Specialist Review
Shared care does not necessarily end specialist involvement.
Continued specialist review may be recommended to ensure treatment remains effective, appropriate and safe.
Follow-up may include review of symptom control, medication effectiveness, side effects, physical monitoring and any changes in clinical circumstances.
If treatment becomes unstable or a significant medication change is required, responsibility may need to return to specialist care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shared care with GPs, explained clearly.
Is shared care guaranteed?+
No. Shared care depends on clinical suitability and the GP agreeing to accept the proposed prescribing and monitoring responsibilities.
When can shared care be requested?+
It is generally considered after treatment has been appropriately initiated, titration is complete and the medication and dose are clinically stable.
Can my GP refuse shared care?+
Yes. A GP may decline a shared-care request. The decision can depend on clinical considerations, local policy and the arrangements within the individual practice.
What happens if my GP declines?+
Private prescribing and specialist follow-up options can be discussed where clinically appropriate.
Will I still need specialist reviews?+
In many cases, yes. The frequency and nature of specialist follow-up depend on the medication, condition and agreed care plan.
Can shared care be reviewed or stopped?+
Yes. Shared-care arrangements may need to be reconsidered if treatment, clinical circumstances, monitoring requirements or local arrangements change.
Shared-Care Enquiries
Discuss ongoing prescribing and shared-care options.
Contact Regent Psychiatry to discuss medication follow-up, treatment stability and whether a shared-care request may be appropriate.