My son (5) is currently on the waitlist for an ADHD assessment with the Aspen Clinic under the RTC pathway.
My GP has confirmed that they will not enter a Shared Care Agreement and I’m therefore concerned about the cost of medication. Is it correct that the Aspen Clinic would remain responsible for the ongoing medication, but it would be an NHS prescription rather than the cost of buying the medication privately?
The Aspen Clinic is also a 2 hour drive from us so I’m worried about having to drive there regularly to collect medication. Does anyone have experience of this and/or is there a way around it?
If you receive a diagnosis through a private provider and the provider is CQC compliant. The provider will continue to prescribe medication. Unfortunately, if the GP does not accept shared care, you will have to continue to go through the private provider.
The only advice I have would be to phone around all the GP surgeries in your area asking if any of them will accept shared care
I appreciate that the private provider would be responsible for the ongoing medication in absence of a SCA, but apparently they can issue NHS prescriptions (the RTC website says 'These are private companies providing NHS services to NHS standards. If you opt for medication, you would receive an NHS prescription…'). If this is the case then it’s really not much different and I would continue down the RTC route. The concern is that if that’s not accurate, we’d end up paying as if it were a fully private prescription, which may not be affordable.
Unfortunately none of the local GP surgeries in the area will accept Shared Care Agreements. Apparently it’s the position of the PCN.
I receive monthly prescriptions from the RTC provider via text message (my GP wouldn’t agree to shared care). This is the cost of an NHS prescription so does not cost the patient any more, hope this helps