A clear pathway to ongoing care with your GP after private diagnosis
Shared Care Agreement
Once you’ve received an ADHD diagnosis and started treatment with Mentalwell, a Shared Care Agreement (SCA) can help transition your ongoing care to your GP. This allows for continued prescribing within primary care, making treatment more accessible and sustainable long-term.
At Mentalwell, we support you through each stage of this process to ensure a safe and smooth handover.
What this page covers?
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How Shared Care works and when you’re eligible
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What happens if your GP accepts or declines the agreement
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How Mentalwell supports you throughout the process
How does Shared Care work?
A Shared Care Agreement is a formal arrangement between your Mentalwell ADHD clinician and your GP. Mentalwell is responsible for your assessment, diagnosis, and starting your medication, including adjusting the dose during titration. Once your treatment is stable*, we can request that your GP takes over prescribing under a Shared Care arrangement.
If your GP agrees, they will issue your prescriptions going forward, while your ADHD clinician remains involved in your care through periodical reviews and clinical oversight.
* A period of at least 8 weeks on a consistent medication and dose, where symptoms are well-managed and no significant side effects are reported, as confirmed by your clinician.
Can I change the brand or type of medication under shared care?
Under Shared Care, your GP continues prescribing the agreed medication and dose and may not initiate changes independently.
Any changes to your medication, including switching brands or adjusting doses, must be guided by a specialist clinician.
If changes are needed, you can reach out to Mentalwell to reassess and provide guidance on next steps to ensure your treatment remains safe and effective.
How does Mentalwell support the process?
We take a structured and supportive approach to Shared Care Agreements. Upon submitting a request through our support team and meeting the criteria, we prepare and send a formal request to your GP, including all relevant clinical information. We ask GP practices to respond within 14 days, although this can vary depending on their workload. Throughout the process, our team is available to guide you, answer questions, and ensure continuity of care.
If shared care is not established, we can continue to provide safe, ongoing treatment directly through our service.
When am I eligible for Shared Care?
For you to request a Shared Care Agreement, two key criteria need to be met:
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First, your treatment must be clinically stable. This means you have completed the titration phase, where we gradually introduce the medication and adjust the dose to find the optimal balance between effectiveness and minimal side effects. Once you have been on a consistent medication and dose for at least 8 weeks with good symptom control, your clinician can confirm stability.
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Second, your GP must agree in principle to accept a Shared Care Agreement before we proceed. Upon your request, we will share a form that you can complete on behalf of your GP to confirm this. Once you have indicated they are open to accepting the Shared Care request, we will gather the necessary clinical information and submit the formal request on your behalf.
What if my GP declines the Shared Care Agreement?
GPs are not obligated to accept Shared Care requests, and decisions can vary between practices. If your GP declines, you can continue receiving prescriptions and care through Mentalwell by renewing your treatment plan.
We will support you with ongoing treatment and can advise on next steps, including discussing the decision with your GP or exploring alternative options where appropriate.