What is a Shared Care Agreement?
A shared care agreement is a formal arrangement between our practice and a specialist clinic. Under this agreement, our practice will prescribe medication and undertake appropriate monitoring, while the specialist clinic will continue to review your care at regular intervals for example 6 monthly or yearly. Generally these have been done with our NHS specialist colleagues and the agreements have been set up and agreed locally. Generally these agreements are for medication which our local prescribing committee have advised not to be prescribed without ongoing specialist input into care.
Shared care with private providers
In recent years there have been a marked increase in requests from private specialist providers for us to enter shared care agreements with them.
Although many other practices do not enter into shared care agreements with private providers, we believe it is fair to consider each proposal individually. If we are satisfied that the private provider is offering an appropriate service and the responsibilities assigned to our practice are in line with those expected within the National Health Service (NHS), we may agree to enter into a shared care agreement.
Important Considerations for Patients
1. Advanced decisions on shared care: We cannot advise you in advance whether we will accept a shared care agreement from a provider. Each proposal must be reviewed thoroughly before a decision is made.
2. Potential for Non-Agreement: There is a possibility that we may decide not to agree to a shared care arrangement. Should this happen, you would need to continue receiving care and prescriptions from the private provider, potentially incurring additional costs.
3. Follow-Up Compliance: It is crucial that follow-up appointments with the private provider are maintained as outlined in the agreement. Failure to do so may result in our practice ceasing to prescribe the medication. Obviously we would take any patient safety concerns into account depending on the treatment provided.
4. Provider closure: In keeping with the above point on follow up. If the private provider ceases to provide the service there can no longer be a shared care agreement and we would not be able to continue to prescribe medication. Again we would consider any safety issues depending on the treatment in question.
5. Moving practice: when it comes to registering with a new practice for example moving out of area, the new practice will not be obliged to continue the shared care agreement. This could leave you in a position where you would need to seek private prescriptions from your provider
6. Cost Implications: When seeking private healthcare, please do not assume that our practice will be able to take over prescribing responsibilities. The cost of prescriptions should be considered when making decisions about private healthcare.
We understand that navigating healthcare options can be complex and has become more challenging in recent years. We strive to provide the best care possible within our capacity and expertise. If you have any questions or need further clarification about shared care agreements, please contact the surgery.