Specialist Prescribing & Shared Care Arrangements - August 2025

At Carlisle Healthcare, we are committed to delivering safe, effective, and coordinated care to all our patients. As part of an NHS-wide effort to improve how care is delivered across services, we are reviewing how certain medications - particularly those started by hospital or specialist teams - are managed within general practice.

What’s Changing?

Due to limited resources and to ensure we continue to provide safe, high-quality care to all our patients, we will be pausing shared care for certain specialist-prescribed medications. This means that for some medicines, your specialist will now take full responsibility for your prescriptions and ongoing monitoring instead of your GP.

Why Is This Happening?

Managing some specialist medications safely requires extra time and careful monitoring. Currently, the demand on GP services is very high, and to keep access open for all patients and maintain safe care standards, we need to focus our resources where they are most needed.

By pausing shared care for these medications, we are:

• Ensuring you get expert care from your specialist.
• Protecting patient safety with close specialist supervision.
• Keeping GP appointments available for urgent and routine care.

What Does This Mean for You?

• Your specialist will continue to manage your medication and prescribe it directly.
• You may need to attend the hospital clinic more regularly for prescriptions and monitoring.
• Your GP will still provide care for other health needs and support you in between specialist appointments.
• If you have any concerns or symptoms, please contact your GP as usual.

How Will You Be Supported?

• Your specialist team will keep you informed about your medication and follow-up appointments.
• Your GP practice remains available for advice, general health issues, and other medications.
• We encourage you to maintain regular contact with both your specialist team and GP to stay well supported.

FAQs About Changes to Shared Care Medication at Your GP Practice

Q: What is shared care medication?
A: Shared care means your specialist and GP both help manage your medication. Usually, the specialist starts the treatment, and your GP helps with ongoing prescriptions and monitoring.

Q: Why is my GP practice stopping shared care for some medications?
A: Due to limited resources and high demand, the practice needs to focus on keeping GP services safe and accessible for everyone. Some specialist medications need extra monitoring that the specialist is best equipped to provide.

Q: What does this mean for my medication?
A: For affected medications, your specialist will now manage your prescriptions and monitoring directly. You may need to contact your hospital for your medication instead of your GP.

Q: Will I still be able to see my GP?
A: Yes! Your GP is still here to support you with other health issues, routine care, and advice between specialist appointments.

Q: Will I need to go to the hospital more often?
A: Possibly, yes. Your specialist team will let you know when to attend for check-ups and prescriptions.

Q: What should I do if I have problems or side effects from my medication?
A: Contact your GP as usual for advice. They can guide you or liaise with your hospital team if needed.

Q: How can I get help if I’m unsure about my treatment?
A: Please get in touch with either your GP practice or your specialist team. They are both here to help and support you.

Q: Why is this change necessary now?
A: The practice is balancing the need to provide safe care with the demand on GP services. This change helps maintain safe prescribing and keeps GP appointments available for urgent and routine needs.

Published: Jul 22, 2025