The BMA have now published our Shared care prescribing principles. Shared care prescribing refers to medication which is initiated by a specialist and ongoing prescribing and monitoring is shared with a GP practice, usually accompanied by guidance or a shared care agreement. The principles that apply to shared care prescribing are:

· It is a non-core voluntary activity that can be declined by the GP practice for any reason

· The practice is satisfied with the quality assurance and clinical governance of the specialist provider

· If any ongoing medication monitoring is required, responsibility for this should be clear within associated guidance in the form of a shared care agreement

· The appropriate stabilisation period has occurred before prescribing is handed over to the GP

· There is enduring specialist input

· Any additional work undertaken by general practice in the form of medication monitoring, is delivered through a funded, commissioned pathway

Read the full guidance: Prescribing in general practice