Private Healthcare

Due to pressures on the NHS, it is increasingly common for patients to self-refer, or request referral to a private clinic. You are entitled to access and pay for private healthcare and you can ask your GP to write you a referral letter when one is needed.

If you go to see a private provider, it is important to note that under NHS rules it is not permitted to use both NHS and private funding for a single episode of care. This means that whilst you are under the care of a private clinic, all expenses must be met by the patient and provider. This includes any tests required, as well as medication or other treatment.  You can transfer back to NHS care at any time if you are discharged from the private provider; you will be subject to the same triage and waiting times as other patients at the point of referral.

If your private provider requires you to have regular blood tests or other investigations, these must be arranged and funded by the patient and provider. 

If your private provider recommends medication, they are responsible for issuing the prescription, and you may have to pay private prescription charges. It is sometimes possible for your GP to take over the prescribing of medication when you are discharged from the private specialist. The medication must be usually prescribed in primary care, and the prescribing GP must feel competent in managing it. We prescribe according to our local formulary, so you may not get exactly the same medication. In this case we would need a detailed clinic letter from the specialist including the clinical reasons for recommending the treatment. We can not prescribe without this letter.  

Please note that in accordance with advice from the British Medical Association we do not enter into shared care agreements with private providers.