Important Information

Changes to ADHD Medication Prescribing and Monitoring

Dear Patients,

We are committed to providing you with the highest standard of care and ensuring your safety and well-being. 
We have had to make the difficult decision to implement a new policy regarding “Shared Care Agreements” requests from specialists.  We would like to inform you about an important change regarding the prescribing and monitoring of ADHD medications.

Why Are We Making This Change?

Due to several factors, our practice will no longer be accepting Shared Care Agreements for ADHD medications. Here are the key reasons for this decision:

1. Clinical Expertise and Safety Concerns:

• ADHD medications require specialist knowledge for safe prescribing and monitoring. Our GPs do not have the necessary expertise to manage these medications independently.
• Ensuring patient safety is our top priority, and we believe that ADHD medications should be managed by specialists who can take full clinical responsibility.

2. Capacity and Workload:

• The increasing demand on General Practice has made it challenging to accommodate shared care arrangements without compromising the care of other patients.
• By focusing on our core responsibilities, we can ensure that we provide timely and effective care to all our patients.

3. Lack of Support and Resources:

• Shared care arrangements often lack the necessary support and resources for GPs to manage ADHD medications safely.
• Without adequate support, there is a risk of miscommunication and potential harm to patients.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you are already receiving ADHD medication from us through a shared care arrangement, this provision will not change for the time being. 

For any new or future requests for shared care, here is what you need to know:

• Specialist Care: Your ADHD medication and monitoring will need to be managed by a specialist.  As and when we receive requests to enter “shared are agreements” with specialists, we will inform them that we will not be able to accept this agreement.  We recommend contacting your specialist or the clinic where your medication was initiated to discuss your ongoing care.
• Hospital Pharmacy: Your specialist may arrange for you to receive your medication through the hospital pharmacy or provide you with a prescription to collect from your local community pharmacy.

Your Health and Well-being

We understand that this change may be concerning, but please rest assured that your health and safety are our top priorities. By ensuring that ADHD medications are managed by specialists, we can provide you with the safest and most effective care.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Warm regards,

The Hadleigh Practice

Published: Oct 3, 2024