Shared Care with ISC

Many patients choose to transition to a Shared Care Agreement with their GP once their ADHD medication has been stabilised.

A Shared Care Agreement allows your GP to prescribe your medication through the NHS, while ISC-CARE continues to provide the specialist monitoring required for ADHD medication.

This page explains how Shared Care works, the requirements involved, and what to expect during the process.

What is a Shared Care Agreement?

A Shared Care Agreement is a formal clinical arrangement between ISC-CARE and your GP practice.

Under this arrangement:

• Your GP prescribes your ADHD medication on an NHS prescription

• ISC-CARE remains responsible for specialist ADHD monitoring

• Patients attend regular medication reviews with our clinical team

Shared Care allows patients to receive their medication through their GP while still benefiting from specialist ADHD oversight.

Eligibility for Shared Care

Before a Shared Care application can be submitted, patients must have:

• completed the medication titration process

• remained stable on the same medication and dosage for at least 8 weeks

• confirmed they are happy to remain on this dosage

GPs will normally only prescribe the exact medication and dosage that has been stabilised during titration.

If a change to medication or dosage is required later, this must be reviewed and authorised by the ISC-CARE clinical team.

Ongoing Monitoring Requirements

ADHD medication requires ongoing specialist monitoring.

As part of the Shared Care arrangement, patients must attend regular medication reviews with ISC-CARE.

Medication reviews:

• take place every 6 months

• cost £120 per appointment

• are conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams

• last up to 25 minutes

These reviews are required for the full duration of the Shared Care Agreement and form part of the clinical safety requirements agreed with GP practices.

Changes to Medication

If a patient wishes to change their medication or dosage between scheduled reviews, an earlier medication review appointment can be arranged.

The cost of an additional medication review is £120.

Medication changes cannot be made directly through your GP under Shared Care without review from the specialist provider.

NHS Waiting List

Patients are strongly encouraged to ask their GP to join the NHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment if they are not already on one.

This is currently the only pathway that allows patients to eventually receive ADHD medication prescribing and monitoring entirely through NHS services.

Without NHS involvement, patients will usually need to continue specialist monitoring privately, even if their GP agrees to prescribe medication through Shared Care.

Important Information About GP Decisions

Although Shared Care Agreements are common, the final decision to accept or decline a Shared Care request always rests with the GP practice.

ISC-CARE currently supports around 300 active Shared Care Agreements, and many GP practices accept Shared Care arrangements regularly.

However, some GP practices decline Shared Care requests due to their own prescribing policies.

These policies vary between practices and are outside the control of ISC-CARE.

Why Some GP Practices Decline Shared Care

Although many GP practices support Shared Care Agreements, some practices choose not to participate.

This decision is based on individual GP surgery policies rather than the quality of your assessment or treatment.

Common reasons a GP may decline Shared Care include:

• The GP practice has a policy not to prescribe ADHD medication initiated privately
• The practice requires patients to be assessed through NHS services only
• The GP does not feel they have sufficient specialist support within their practice
• Local prescribing guidance or regional policies restrict Shared Care arrangements

It is important to understand that these decisions are made by the GP practice and are outside the control of ISC-CARE.

ISC-CARE will always ensure that Shared Care applications contain the required clinical information and are submitted appropriately, but the final decision always rests with the GP practice.

If a GP declines a Shared Care request, ISC-CARE will assist where possible by helping patients explore alternative options.

If Your GP Declines Shared Care

If your GP chooses not to enter into a Shared Care Agreement, several options may still be available.

Request clarification or reconsideration

ISC-CARE may request further information from the GP practice and ask whether the decision can be reconsidered.

Register with another GP practice

Some patients choose to register with a different GP surgery that supports private Shared Care Agreements.

Continue with private prescriptions

Patients may continue to receive private prescriptions through ISC-CARE, obtaining their medication through their local pharmacy.

While ISC-CARE will always aim to support patients in exploring available options, GP prescribing decisions and policies are outside of our control.

Any dispute regarding a refusal must be addressed directly with the GP practice.

Starting a Shared Care Application

Once a patient has been stable on their medication and dosage for at least 8 weeks, a Shared Care application can be submitted.

To begin the process patients will need to:

• complete the Shared Care application form

• pay the £50 Shared Care administration fee

Patients will also need to provide:

• a recent blood pressure reading

• their current weight

This information forms part of the clinical documentation sent to your GP.

GP Response Times

GP practices can sometimes take several weeks to review Shared Care applications.

Patients are encouraged to follow up directly with their GP practice regarding the progress of the request.

ISC-CARE will notify patients as soon as a response has been received.

Medication While Waiting for a Decision

If a patient is running low on medication while waiting for a GP response, they can request a private repeat prescription from ISC-CARE.

The cost for this service is £35

This helps ensure patients do not experience a break in treatment while their Shared Care application is being reviewed.

Supporting Your ADHD Treatment Journey

ISC-CARE supports patients through every stage of the ADHD treatment pathway, including:

• Adult ADHD Assessment

• ADHD Medication & Titration

• Transfer ADHD Care

• Order Repeat Prescription

Shared Care provides a practical pathway for many patients to receive medication through their GP while continuing to benefit from specialist ADHD expertise.

Shared Care Support Across the UK

ISC-CARE supports patients throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with ADHD Shared Care applications and ongoing medication reviews.

Many of our patients are based in Liverpool, Leeds, London, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, Leicester and surrounding areas.

NHS Shared Care Near You

• NHS Shared Care Liverpool

• NHS Shared Care Leeds

• NHS Shared Care London

People Also Ask

Can my GP refuse ADHD Shared Care?

Yes. While many GP practices support ADHD Shared Care Agreements, participation is entirely at the discretion of the individual GP practice. Some surgeries have policies that prevent them from prescribing ADHD medication initiated by a private provider. ISC-CARE can submit the required clinical documentation and support the application process, but the final prescribing decision always rests with the GP.

How long does ADHD Shared Care take?

The Shared Care process can vary between GP practices. Once you have completed titration and remained stable on the same medication and dosage for at least eight weeks, ISC-CARE can submit a Shared Care request. Some GP practices respond within a few weeks, while others may take longer depending on their internal processes.

Do I need to pay for ADHD reviews after Shared Care starts?

Yes. Even when your GP agrees to prescribe your medication through Shared Care, specialist ADHD monitoring must continue. Patients are required to attend a medication review with ISC-CARE every six months. These reviews currently cost £120 and help ensure that treatment remains safe and effective.

What happens if my GP refuses Shared Care?

If your GP declines a Shared Care request, several options may still be available. You may choose to request that the decision is reconsidered, register with a GP practice that supports Shared Care Agreements, or continue receiving private prescriptions through ISC-CARE. We will always provide guidance where possible, but GP prescribing decisions remain outside our control.

Can I move GP practices if Shared Care is declined?

Yes. Some patients choose to register with another GP practice that is willing to accept Shared Care arrangements for ADHD medication. Policies vary between practices, so acceptance by one surgery does not guarantee acceptance by another.

Do I still need ADHD medication reviews under Shared Care?

Yes. Shared Care does not remove the requirement for specialist monitoring. Regular reviews are an important clinical safety requirement and help ensure that medication remains effective, side effects are monitored, and any necessary adjustments can be identified promptly.

Can I get NHS prescriptions after private ADHD treatment?

Potentially, yes. Many patients who complete private ADHD assessment and titration are able to receive NHS prescriptions through a Shared Care Agreement with their GP. However, NHS prescribing is never guaranteed and depends on the policies of the individual GP practice. Patients are also encouraged to discuss joining local NHS ADHD waiting lists where appropriate.

Can I apply for Shared Care if I live outside Liverpool?

Yes. ISC-CARE supports patients across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Medication reviews are conducted remotely, meaning location is not usually a barrier to accessing specialist ADHD support.

Is NHS Shared Care guaranteed?

No. NHS Shared Care is never guaranteed. The decision to prescribe ADHD medication always rests with the individual GP practice, which will consider its own prescribing policies and clinical responsibilities before accepting a Shared Care Agreement.

Why Patients Choose ISC-CARE

• Over 300 active Shared Care Agreements supported

• Consultant-led ADHD medication services

• NICE-aligned assessment and treatment pathways

• Remote specialist reviews across the UK

• Dedicated support with Shared Care applications

• Ongoing medication monitoring for adults and children

Important Information About Private ADHD Treatment and NHS Prescribing

ADHD assessments and treatment provided by ISC-CARE are private medical services.

While many GP practices are willing to enter into Shared Care Agreements with private providers, GPs are not obligated to prescribe medication that has been initiated privately.

The decision to prescribe ADHD medication through the NHS always rests with the individual GP and their practice policies.

This means that even if a patient has received a diagnosis and completed titration through a private provider, a GP may still decide not to prescribe medication through Shared Care.

Patients should therefore be aware that private ADHD treatment does not guarantee NHS prescribing.

If a GP declines Shared Care, patients may choose to:

• continue receiving private prescriptions through ISC-CARE, or

• register with another GP practice that supports Shared Care arrangements, or

• remain on the NHS waiting list for ADHD services, which may eventually allow medication to be prescribed and monitored fully through NHS care.

ISC-CARE will always ensure that clinical documentation and Shared Care requests are completed appropriately and submitted to GP practices with the necessary information. However, GP prescribing decisions are independent and outside the control of ISC-CARE.

Patients are encouraged to discuss Shared Care with their GP if they have any questions about their practice’s prescribing policies.

Ready to Apply for Shared Care?

If you have completed ADHD titration and have remained stable on your medication for at least 8 weeks, our team can help you begin the Shared Care application process.