Understanding Private Medical Care

Referrals to a private provider

If you choose to seek Private treatment you can self-refer without involving your Gp

Some consultants may require a GP referral to see you

GP's will supply this without charge as it is part of the NHS work

Sharing medical information

You can share hospital letters or medical records via the NHS app

If you cannot access the app a summary may also be provided for you

Your GP can also provide if needed a medical report but they will charge a fee for preparing it

Arranging private tests & investigations

GP's are not required to arrange tests or investigations requested by private health care providers – this is not part of NHS work

If our GP considers the investigations to be clinically necessary and are able to interpret/manage the results as part of your ongoing NHS care they may order these tests

You are able to access results of any tests completed by your GP on your NHS app and you can share them with your private provider

Any tests carried out by a Private provider remain the responsibility of the Private provider

Your GP cannot respond to results for testing they have not requested

Prescribing Medication requested by a Private provider

GP's can prescribe medication on the NHS if requested by a Private consultant.

The GP can initiate or to continue prescribing medication if they agree with this advice and the GP feels competent to prescribe the requested medication.

If the GP is not able to prescribe a Private providers medication the prescribing remains the responsibility of the Private provider  

If there is an immediate need for medication it is the responsibility of the Private provider to give a minimum of 7 days supply of medication to allow patients to contact their own GP. This will be issued as a Private prescription

Shared care

Shared care agreements set out responsibilities normally shared between a GP and a Specialist.

Both parties would need to voluntarily agree to undertake this arrangement.

Our GP's can decline entering into a new shared care arrangement with Private providers – the responsibility of the patients care & ongoing prescribing will then remain with the Private provider

A clear separation is tried to be maintained between Private care & NHS services provided by your GP

Any private patient seeking access to shared care should have their complete treatment transferred to the NHS

There are some shared care agreements in place for NHS services

All shared care agreements are voluntary so having a shared care is not automatic, your GP will decide based on competence, clinical grounds & workload capacity.

If a shared care is not possible you will remain under the care of your secondary care specialist

Private provider referrals

If your Private provider feels it necessary to make a referral to an NHS service they can do this directly.

A Consultant to Consultant referral can be made without referring back to the GP

This is provided the patient is eligible for NHS referral.