What Is Shared Care? A Complete Guide + Shared Care Agreement Template

Shared care is a term you may have come across if you or your patient receives treatment from both a specialist and a GP. It’s commonly used in UK healthcare, particularly in areas such as ADHD, mental health, and long‑term condition management. But what is shared care exactly, how does it work, and why is a Shared Care Agreement so important?

In this guide, we’ll break it all down in plain English and also explain what a Shared Care Agreement template should include.

What Is Shared Care?

Shared care is a formal arrangement where responsibility for a patient’s ongoing treatment is shared between a specialist (such as a consultant or private clinician) and a GP.

Rather than all care being handled by one provider, shared care allows:

• A specialist to assess, diagnose, and initiate treatment
• A GP to continue prescribing and monitoring the treatment under an agreed plan

The goal of shared care is simple: to ensure patients receive safe, consistent, and well‑coordinated care without unnecessary delays or duplication.

Shared care is most commonly used when:

• A condition requires specialist expertise to diagnose or start treatment
• Ongoing management can be safely handled in primary care
• Long‑term medication is involved

How Does Shared Care Work?

Shared care typically follows a clear process:

1. Specialist Assessment
   The patient is assessed and diagnosed by a specialist clinician.
2. Treatment Initiation
   The specialist starts treatment, often including medication, and stabilises the patient.
3. Shared Care Request
   The specialist asks the patient’s GP to enter into a shared care arrangement.
4. Shared Care Agreement
   If the GP agrees, a Shared Care Agreement is put in place outlining responsibilities.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
   The GP continues prescribing and monitoring, while the specialist remains available for review and advice.

It’s important to note that shared care is voluntary. A GP is not obliged to accept a shared care request, and acceptance depends on local NHS policies, clinical confidence, and workload.

Why Is Shared Care Important?

Shared care benefits everyone involved:

For Patients

• Easier access to prescriptions through their GP
• Reduced costs compared to private prescriptions
• Continuity of care closer to home

For GPs

• Clear guidance from specialists
• Defined responsibilities and safety protocols
• Ongoing specialist support

For Specialists

• Confidence that care is being continued appropriately
• Reduced need for frequent private follow‑ups
• Better integration with NHS services

When done correctly, shared care improves safety, communication, and patient experience.

What Is a Shared Care Agreement?

A Shared Care Agreement is a written document that formalises the shared care arrangement between the specialist and the GP.

It clearly sets out:

• Who is responsible for what
• How the patient will be monitored
• What to do if issues arise

This agreement protects patients and clinicians alike by ensuring everyone understands their role.

What Should a Shared Care Agreement Template Include?

A good Shared Care Agreement template should be clear, concise, and clinically robust. While formats may vary, most templates include the following sections:

1. Patient Details

• Name, date of birth, NHS number
• Diagnosis and relevant medical history

2. Specialist Responsibilities

• Confirmation of diagnosis
• Initiation and stabilisation of treatment
• Provision of treatment plan and monitoring guidance
• Availability for advice or re‑referral

3. GP Responsibilities

• Ongoing prescribing once treatment is stabilised
• Routine monitoring (e.g. blood pressure, weight, blood tests where relevant)
• Reporting concerns back to the specialist

4. Medication Details

• Name of medication
• Dosage and titration plan
• Known side effects and risks

5. Monitoring and Review Plan

• What needs to be monitored
• How often reviews should occur
• When to refer back to the specialist

6. Patient Responsibilities

• Taking medication as prescribed
• Attending monitoring appointments
• Reporting side effects or concerns

7. Agreement and Signatures

• Specialist clinician details and signature
• GP acceptance and signature (where applicable)
• Date of agreement

A clear Shared Care Agreement template helps reduce misunderstandings and increases the likelihood of GP acceptance.

Shared Care in ADHD and Mental Health

Shared care is especially common in ADHD services. Often:

• A specialist diagnoses ADHD and initiates medication
• Once stable, the GP continues prescribing under shared care

Because ADHD medications are controlled and require monitoring, GPs rely heavily on a strong Shared Care Agreement before accepting responsibility.

This is why having a well‑structured Shared Care Agreement template is essential for private providers and clinics.

Why GPs May Decline Shared Care

Understanding what is shared care also means recognising why it may not always be accepted. Common reasons include:

• Lack of local NHS shared care protocols
• Insufficient detail in the agreement
• Concerns about workload or monitoring requirements

Clear documentation, realistic monitoring plans, and good communication can significantly improve acceptance rates.

Final Thoughts

So, what is shared care? At its core, it’s a collaborative approach that allows specialists and GPs to work together for the benefit of the patient.

A strong Shared Care Agreement template is the foundation of this collaboration. It ensures clarity, safety, and trust between all parties involved.

Whether you’re a patient, clinician, or healthcare provider, understanding shared care helps set expectations and supports better outcomes.

If you’d like help creating or reviewing a Shared Care Agreement template, or want guidance tailored to your service, feel free to ask — I’m happy to help.