What Patients Need to Know
We understand that some patients may choose to access some or all of their healthcare privately. Patients have the right to make this choice, and we want to help you understand how private care and NHS services work alongside each other.
This guide explains what happens when you choose to see a private consultant, how NHS and private services work together, and what you can expect from your GP practice.
Important things to know
- Your NHS care remains free
You will never be asked to pay for NHS treatment. The only charges you may be responsible for are standard NHS charges, such as prescription fees. - NHS funding cannot be used for private treatment
NHS services cannot pay for, subsidise, or reduce the cost of private healthcare. - NHS and private care must remain separate
If you choose to access private healthcare, NHS and private treatment cannot be combined for the same health issue. This helps ensure your care remains safe, clear and appropriately managed. - Your NHS waiting list position will not be affected
Choosing to have a private consultation or treatment will not move you up or down an NHS waiting list.
Accessing private healthcare
Do I need a GP referral for private treatment?
You can usually arrange private healthcare without a GP referral, although many private consultants and providers prefer patients to have one.
The British Medical Association (BMA) recommends a GP referral where appropriate, as this helps ensure the clinician caring for you has the relevant medical information needed to provide safe and effective care.
If you have private medical insurance (for example, Bupa)
If your insurer or private provider requires a GP referral, your GP can provide a referral letter containing relevant information from your medical records.
Please wait until you have received your referral letter before booking your private appointment, as this will help the consultant understand your medical background.
Some insurance forms or medical reports may require additional information and may carry a charge.
If you do not have private medical insurance
You can usually contact a private hospital, clinic or consultant directly to arrange an appointment.
Your private provider will be able to advise you about appointments, costs, investigations and any paperwork required.
Seeing a private consultant
Can I mix NHS and private care for the same condition?
No. NHS and private treatment cannot be combined for the same health issue.
For example, you cannot have one part of a treatment pathway privately and then ask the NHS to provide another part of the same treatment.
This ensures that your care remains safe, coordinated and follows NHS guidance.
What happens after a private consultation?
Your private consultant should send a letter to both you and your GP practice summarising your appointment, their recommendations and any treatment plans.
If your consultant recommends further tests, investigations or procedures, these will usually be arranged privately by the consultant or private provider.
If tests or investigations have been arranged privately, your private consultant is responsible for reviewing the results with you and explaining any next steps. Your GP practice may not have access to these results or be able to interpret them on behalf of the private provider.
Correspondence from private consultants can sometimes take weeks to reach the practice. Once received, it will be reviewed by the appropriate clinician. Please allow sufficient time for this process before contacting us.
Tests, procedures and complications
What happens if I need a test, scan or procedure?
If your private consultant recommends a test, scan, procedure or surgery, they are responsible for:
- Arranging the test or procedure.
- Explaining what is involved and when it will take place.
- Arranging any medication needed as part of the private treatment.
- Reviewing and explaining the results with you.
These arrangements will normally need to be made through your private provider.
What happens if I develop complications?
Any non-emergency complications resulting from private treatment should be managed by your private provider.
Of course, NHS emergency services remain available if you require urgent or emergency care.
Prescriptions and medicines
What if I need new medicines following private treatment?
A private consultant may recommend a new medicine or suggest changes to your current treatment.
These medicines will usually need to be prescribed privately by the consultant or private provider.
Private hospitals often have their own pharmacies, and some private services can arrange medication delivery directly to you.
If you take a private prescription to an NHS pharmacy, you will normally need to pay the full cost of the medication rather than the standard NHS prescription charge.
Why might my GP not prescribe medication recommended by a private consultant?
Your GP will always consider recommendations from private consultants carefully. However, GPs must prescribe safely and follow NHS prescribing guidance.
There are several reasons why your GP may not be able to prescribe a medicine recommended privately:
- NHS and private treatment must remain separate for the same health issue.
- Some medicines require specialist monitoring by a hospital consultant.
- Some medicines can only be prescribed through a Shared Care Agreement between the specialist and GP.
- The medicine may not be approved for routine NHS prescribing.
- The treatment may not be recommended by NHS guidance or may not be available through NHS services.
If a medicine is recommended privately, you should check the ongoing costs, monitoring requirements and arrangements for repeat prescriptions before starting treatment.
The Welby Group approach to prescribing
Our priority is to ensure medicines are prescribed safely, effectively and in line with NHS guidance.
GPs must follow NHS prescribing policies and approved formularies, which provide guidance on which medicines are suitable for use within NHS care.
Medicines are generally categorised as:
- Green medicines Medicines that are usually suitable for GPs to prescribe.
- Amber medicines Medicines that usually need to be started and monitored by a hospital specialist, often with a Shared Care Agreement before a GP can prescribe.
- Red medicines Medicines that are generally not recommended for routine NHS prescribing.
Your GP may not be able to prescribe medication if:
- It is experimental or outside its licensed use.
- It requires specialist monitoring without an appropriate Shared Care Agreement.
- It is not routinely available through NHS services.
- It is not recommended within NHS prescribing guidance.
Examples may include some specialist treatments, disease-modifying medicines, IVF medications and certain ADHD treatments.
You can still choose to obtain these medicines privately through your consultant, but we recommend understanding the costs and monitoring arrangements before starting treatment.
Returning to NHS care
If you have received private treatment and wish to return to NHS care, you are entitled to do so.
Where possible, your private consultant should arrange the transfer of care by writing directly to the relevant NHS service.
If this is not possible, please ask your private consultant to send a letter to your GP practice with details of your treatment and any recommendations for ongoing care.
Working together for safe care
Whether you choose NHS or private healthcare, our priority is that you receive safe, coordinated and effective care.
If you are considering private treatment, we encourage you to discuss your options with your GP so we can support you with the right information and help ensure your care remains joined up.
