Patients may choose to see a private specialist who is entitled to receive self- referrals from patients. Some specialists insist on a GP referral first, in which case, provided the GP agrees that a referral is necessary, they can arrange an open referral letter.
Patients can choose their own private specialist, however we would advise patients to select someone who is appropriately trained and regulated with the ability to arrange any necessary tests privately and arrange any appropriate private prescriptions for you.
GPs will not necessarily be able to take over the prescribing of any privately recommended medications so your private specialist will need to be responsible for this. Doctors must be satisfied that the prescription is needed, appropriate for the patient and within the limits of their competence before they consider taking over the responsibility.
If general practices receive requests from private providers to arrange tests or investigations, it is important to note that complying with such requests - regardless of the GP’s management and treatment of the patient - is outside the scope of NHS primary medical services.
Sometimes GPs are asked to prescribe medications which are usually specialist-only medication by entering into ‘shared care’ between the patient, GP and specialist. All shared care arrangements are voluntary, so even where agreements are in place, practices can decline shared care requests on clinical and capacity grounds. The responsibility for the patient’s care and ongoing prescribing then remains the responsibility of the private provider.
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