We understand that there maybe an occasion when you will choose to use a private health care provider instead of the NHS.
Private health service providers operate independently from the NHS, so please read the information below
- If you choose to be treated by a private health service provider, your GP will need to write a referral letter and send it to the Private Consultant that you have agreed to use.
- This will include any relevant medical details about you.
- If an insurance company wishes for a specific form to be completed, your GP will charge for this additional work.
- You will need to contact the PrivateConsultant’s team directly to organise your appointment – your GP cannot influence this.
SEEING A PRIVATE CONSULTANT
What happens if I need a test or procedure?
If the Private Consultant thinks that you need tests (including blood tests), or a surgical procedure, the Private Consultant is responsible for:
- Arranging the test and any medications that might be needed, explaining how and when you will receive a date, and what to do if the date is not suitable.
- Arranging the date and time of the surgical procedure
- Giving you the results and explaining what they mean (this may be done in a separate appointment with the Private Consultant, or by letter).
You should not call or visit your GP surgery to discuss the results of the tests organised privately - it is the Private Consultant’s responsibility to discuss these with you.
What happens if I need new medicines?
- The Private Consultant might prescribe new medicines or change the medicines that you are currently taking.
- The Private Consultant is responsible for issuing the first prescription for new medicines to be taken straightaway.
- After the first prescription, your GP may be able to prescribe the medication - but will need a full clinical letter from the Private Consultant outlining the reasons for treatment.
- Wait at least seven days to allow this letter to arrive before contacting your GP.
- If a prescription is needed sooner, you should contact the Ptivate Consultant’s team (usually their secretary) for them to re-prescribe - not your GP.
BE AWARE THAT PRIVATE CONSULTANTS MAY PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS THAT AREN'T NORMALLY PRESCRIBED THROUGH THE NHS.
- In this case, you should continue to receive them from the Private Consultant. Please contact them directly to organise this.
- They will charge you for the medication.
SHARED CARE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN GPS & PRIVATE CONSULTANTS ARE NOT PERMITTED
- A shared care agreement is a formal agreement that enables GPs to accept responsibility for the safe prescribing and monitoring of specialist medicines as prescribed by specialist consultants.
- A shared care agreement is only permissable between NHS organisations.
What happens if I need to transfer my care back to the NHS?
If after seeing the Private Consultant you want to return to NHS care, regulations allow for you to transfer back.
This transfer needs to be done by the Private Consultant overseeing your care – your GP cannot do this. There are a few reasons why;
- your Private Consultant has the full details of your condition and treatment, and needs to communicate a full clinical report to your GP.
- it delays your care because all the info lays with the Private Consultant
- it wastes precious NHS appointments with your GP.
What if I need a Fit Note (previously known as a Sick Note)?
It is the responsibility of the Private Consultant to issue a Fit Note if you need to be certified as unfit for work following your treatment.
- The Fit Note should cover the period during which you are expected to be unfit for work, or until your next contact with the Private Consultant.
- You should not ask your GP for a Fit Note following private treatment unless your care has been handed back to the NHS and the inability to work is unexpectedly prolonged.
What if I need a follow-up appointment?
- The Private Consultant will discuss whether you should attend hospital for ongoing follow-up care, or whether you should be discharged back to your GP.
- If the Private Consultant thinks you do need to be seen again, the hospital will give you another appointment or tell you when to expect this.
- If you do not hear anything, please contact the Private Consultant’s office. Your GP surgery will not be able to help with this.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any specific questions related to your care, it is important to contact the Private Consultant’s team directly, not your GP.
Make sure you know how to contact your Private Consultant’s office, details of which are usually listed on letters you receive from them.
Thousands of appointments are wasted by patients discussing issues with NHS GPs that should be dealt with by Private Consultants.
So please remember that when you go private, your care is their responsibility.