Changes to ADHD Medication Prescribing and Monitoring

We are dedicated to providing you with the highest standard of care and ensuring your safety and well-being. Due to recent developments, we have made the difficult decision to implement a new policy regarding requests for “Shared Care Agreements” from specialists. We would like to inform you of an important change concerning the prescribing and monitoring of ADHD medications.

Why Is This Change Happening?

There are several key reasons behind this decision:

1. Clinical Expertise and Safety:
ADHD medications require specialist knowledge for safe prescribing and monitoring. Our GPs do not have the specific expertise to manage these medications independently. To ensure patient safety, we believe ADHD medications should remain under the care of specialists who can assume full clinical responsibility.

2. Capacity and Workload:
The growing demands on General Practice make it increasingly difficult to accommodate shared care arrangements without compromising the care of other patients. By focusing on our core responsibilities, we can continue to provide timely and effective care for all.

3. Lack of Support and Resources:
Managing ADHD medications under shared care often lacks the necessary support and resources for GPs. Without these, there is a higher risk of miscommunication and potential harm to patients.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you are currently receiving ADHD medication through a shared care arrangement, there will be no immediate changes. However, moving forward, any new or future requests for shared care will not be accepted.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Specialist Care: Your ADHD medication and monitoring will need to be managed by your specialist. If we receive requests for shared care from specialists, we will inform them that we are unable to accept. 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 your medication to be dispensed through the hospital pharmacy or provide a prescription for collection at your local community pharmacy.

Your Health and Well-being

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

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.