Private Providers

Our policy

Any patient can self-refer to any private provider without any input from a GP. It is not required to have a GP referral letter. Patients are able to contact the provider and ask for an appointment to be arranged. However, if a referral letter is still required before the private provider will arrange this, we can provide a referral. If you have already been referred on the NHS but wish to go private, we can supply the original referral letter.

Investigations from private providers

NHS GPs are not obliged to request or perform any tests suggested as a result of a patient attending a private provider appointment. Any private provider that requires investigations to be carried out must be able to arrange, provide or commission the investigations themselves. It is not the responsibility of the NHS GP to carry out any investigations to enable the private provider to carry out their work. This is especially the case where such investigations fall outside ordinary NHS care provided by the GP, or where the interpretation of the result of such test would fall outside the GPs knowledge, skills, and competence. Such tests can, and should be, requested and actioned by the private provider themselves; as would be expected of any healthcare clinician whether NHS or private.

Examples of such frequently asked-for investigations include: ECGs prior to commencing ADHD medication; blood testing following a consultation; blood tests as part of a pre-operative assessment.

Medications from private providers

NHS GPs are not obliged to prescribe medications that are recommended as a result of a patient attending a private provider, nor are they required to convert privately issued prescriptions to an NHS one.

However, where such requested medications are within the scope of ordinary care from a GP and where we would normally issue such medications, we may consider such requests on an individual basis. If any healthcare professional whether NHS or private indicates that you need your medication urgently, then they must supply it directly themselves.