Private Consultant Requests

The practice has recently noticed a significant increase in the number of patients who are requesting us to order tests and investigations suggested by private consultants. We have also seen an increase in patients being given private prescriptions following a private consultant appointment, and then bringing that prescription to reception asking for GP’s to put the items on an NHS prescription.

Neither of the above requests are appropriate and will not be actioned.

If you see a consultant privately, the consultant is responsible for ordering the tests and investigations that you might need, and these will also need to be on a private basis. If the consultant thinks it would be more beneficial for you to be seen on the NHS, then they are able to refer you in to an NHS clinic themselves, this should not be sent back to GPs to do.

Similarly, if a private consultant provides a private prescription, this must be obtained from a pharmacy as private. Our GP’s will not transfer the items on to an NHS prescription. If a consultant wants us to continue prescribing the item(s), i.e. if they think it should go on your repeat prescription, then they need to write a clinical letter to the practice requesting us to action this.

Our LMC (Local Medical Committee) have produced a leaflet that explains the reasoning behind the above, which can be accessed by clicking here.

The practice is not taking this stance to be obstructive, we are simply making sure that NHS time and resources is being used appropriately.