Changes to Shared Care Agreements (SCA) at Guardian Medical Centre
At Guardian Medical Centre, we are committed to providing the best care for our patients. We want to inform you of some important changes regarding Shared Care Agreements (SCAs) and how this may affect your care.
1. What is a Shared Care Agreement (SCA)?
A Shared Care Agreement is an arrangement between your GP practice and another healthcare provider, such as NHS hospital specialist or private provider with an agreement to manage your care together. Agreeing to undertake NHS or private shared care agreements is not contractual for GP practices and they are not required to accept any requests for shared care.
2. Why have shared care agreements changed?
You may be aware of the recent announcement of Collective Action proposed by the British Medical Association (BMA). This is in support of the concerns of the ongoing and proposed level of funding to Primary Care GP Practices, which is degrading our ability to provide safe and effective care to our patients.
Guardian Medical Centre is actively participating in BMA Collective Action and as of 1st October 2024 has taken the decision that we will continue to engage in Shared Care Agreements (SCA) with our NHS colleagues but will no longer agree to Shared Care Agreements (SCA) with private providers.
This means that, for some patients, we can no longer act as the coordinating healthcare provider between specialists and GPs for ongoing treatment.
The main reason for this change is lack of commissioning or funding from NHS bodies to cover the costs and resources needed to maintain these agreements. Shared Care Agreements often involve a significant amount of time and coordination between multiple healthcare teams. Without proper funding, we are unable to continue offering this service for non-NHS providers.
3. What does this mean for you as a patient?
If you are currently part of a Shared Care Agreement, this change will not affect you. All Shared Care Agreements that have been signed by the practice prior to 1st October 2025 with NHS and private providers will be honoured.
All requests for a private provider Shared Care Agreements on/after 1st October 2025 will be declined.
This may mean the following for patients:
- Prescription Management: Your GP will not prescribe medication or manage treatment requested by a private provider under a Shared Care Agreement. You will need to work with your specialist or provider directly for medication adjustments or renewals.
- Direct Contact with Specialists: You will need to manage appointments and care directly with your specialist. This may involve more frequent follow-up with them and there will be no involvement from our practice in coordinating care.
- Care Coordination: It will be the responsibility of the specialist or hospital team to provide you with the necessary care instructions and treatment plan.
4. Why is this happening?
The decision to stop providing Shared Care Agreements is driven by changes in NHS funding and commissioning. The NHS relies on allocated budgets to manage the resources needed for various services, and unfortunately, Shared Care Agreements are not funded in the GP contract.
This does not reflect a lack of commitment to your care; it is a result of systemic changes in how healthcare services are organized and funded.
5. What are our alternatives for you?
Although Shared Care Agreements are no longer available for some conditions, our practice is still dedicated to supporting your health in the following ways:
- Continuing GP Care: For ongoing management of your health, we will continue to provide you with primary care services. If you need regular check-ups or minor issues related to your condition, we are still here to support you.
- Referral to Specialists: If your condition requires specialist input, we will continue to refer you to the appropriate NHS specialist. We will ensure you are connected to the right team for your care. Unfortunately, the waiting times to be seen by these services are not within our control.
- Clear Communication: While we can no longer coordinate care as we once did, we will provide you with any necessary information to ensure your care continues smoothly. You will be informed of how to reach your specialist or what steps to take in managing your condition moving forward.
6. What should you do if you need assistance?
If you are unsure about how this change affects your care or need assistance managing your treatment, we encourage you to contact our practice. We will help you understand how to navigate this shift and guide you in getting the support you need from your specialist or other healthcare providers.
We understand that these changes may feel unsettling, but please know that our priority is to make sure you continue to receive the best care possible, even if the way we provide that care has changed.
7. In conclusion
While we can no longer provide Shared Care Agreements with private providers due to the lack of NHS commissioning, we remain committed to supporting you in other ways. We will continue to provide high-quality primary care, ensure you are connected with the appropriate specialists, and guide you through any changes in your care. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns about how these changes may affect you. Your health remains our top priority.
Thank you for your understanding,
Guardian Medical Centre