ADHD Medication Policy

 

Changes to GP prescribing of ADHD medication

In Suffolk and north east Essex

  • Some GP practices will stop prescribing ADHD medications for their patients.   
  • This system is currently putting in place new arrangements for the FED to provide the monitoring and provision of ADHD medication to patients on behalf of NSFT. More details to follow on how this will work.
 

FAQs

What is changing?

  • Some GP practices will return prescribing ADHD medications to the specialist teams .
  • If this happens, the GP practice will write to the patient and their ADHD specialist to let them know. 
  • The notice to the ADHD specialist should be at least three months before they stop prescribing

Why is this change happening?

  • GP practices are under a lot of pressure.  
  • Each practice needs to focus on providing the services that they must offer under the terms of their contract.  
  • Some specialist medications are only safe for GPs to prescribe under a ‘Shared Care Agreement’ - which includes ADHD treatments.  GPs do not have to prescribe shared care medications if they feel unable to do so or if they are not able to do this in a safe manner – it is not part of their contract and has always been a core part of the specialist role.
  • On account of the pressures, the local medical committees (LMCs) in Suffolk and Essex have recommended that GPs stop prescribing ADHD medications and return responsibility for this back to ADHD specialists.

What is a ‘Shared Care Agreement’?

  • A ‘Shared Care Agreement’ (SCA) is needed for some specialist medications. 
  • It is an agreement between a GP and a specialist and assumes certain responsibilities of the patient.
  • Under an SCA the GP agrees to prescribe the medication and carry out any tests, for example, blood pressure etc reverting to the specialist if there are issues.

Which organisations currently provide specialist ADHD services across Suffolk and north east Essex?

The following organisations provide specialist ADHD services across Suffolk and north east Essex:

  • West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) Integrated Community Paediatric team
  • Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT)
  • East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (the organisation which manages Ipswich and Colchester hospitals)
  • Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT)

For some patients, their ADHD specialist will be part of a different organisation. For example, organisations that offer virtual and/or online services to patients.

What will this mean for me or my family member who relies on this medication?

  • It will mean a new way for patients (adults and children) to order their ADHD medication.  
  • Patients may have to go elsewhere for monitoring procedures, such as blood pressure.

What will the new arrangements look like?

  • This depends on who the patient’s ADHD specialist is.
  • For some patients, their ADHD specialist will prescribe their ADHD medications and arrange any tests that might be needed.
  • For other patients, a new local ADHD service will prescribe their ADHD medications and arrange any tests that might be needed. This service is planned to go live in April 2025.
  • For patients that privately funded their ADHD assessment, different arrangements will apply.
  • Patients should wait to be contacted with information on these new arrangements.

Who will supply my medication?

Our plan is for the patient to be able to get their medication supplied as they do now. This could be from their doctor’s dispensary, a community pharmacy, or an online pharmacy.

Will the new arrangements delay me getting my medication?

  • These changes should not cause any delays for patients.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

**Please note the above is only applicable if you have received a letter from your practice telling you that things are changing**