Referrals to Private Care

You can self-refer for private treatment without involving your GP.

Some private consultants may require a referral from a GP to see you.

GPs do not charge for providing a referral letter, as this is part of their NHS work. If the first appointment results in a prescription been given to you, you must obrain this from the hosptial pharmacy. Only if the GP feels this is necessary to carry on with this, will we provide you with further treatment. 

Sharing Medical Information

You can share copies of hospital letters or access your medical records via the NHS app to provide information to private providers.

We can provide a medical report summarizing your records to a private provider, but they may charge an administrative fee for preparing it.

Arranging Private Tests/Investigations

GPs are not required to arrange tests or investigations requested solely by private healthcare providers.

GPs may order tests if they deem them clinically necessary and can interpret/manage the results as part of your NHS care.

You can access results of any tests done by your GP and share them with private providers.

The results of any tests carried out by private providers remain the responsibility of that provider for interpretation and follow-up. Your GP can not respond to results from testing that they have not requested.

Prescribing Medications from Private Care

If you see a private consultant, it is their responsibility to provide any prescriptions that they feel you will need. You will need to obtain the medication prescribed via the pharmacy.

We would not routinely convert the private prescription into a NHS prescription.

Shared Care Arrangements

"Shared care” agreements formally define responsibilities shared between your GP and the specialist who is monitoring your condition

We do continue to have shared care with NHS providers, and these are specific commissioned services by the NHS and are agreed with our local ICBs.

GPs can decline entering into new shared care arrangements with private providers.

Our practice, currently does not enter into shared care arrangements with private providers, hence any medication and related monitoring will need to remain under the care of you specialist and their team.

In general, a clear separation is maintained between private care you pay for and the NHS services provided by your GP. Your GP will determine what falls under their NHS responsibilities for your care.