Introduction

At Orchard Surgery, we respect that some patients may choose to access private healthcare because:
– Their treatment is not available through the NHS, or
– They prefer not to be treated within the NHS system.

It is essential that the boundaries between NHS and private care are clearly understood to ensure safe, effective, and appropriate management of your care.

Responsibilities for Private Healthcare

Private Providers Are Responsible For:
– Arranging and performing all required tests, scans, and investigations.
– Explaining all test results directly to the patient.
– Prescribing necessary medications.
– Organising follow-up appointments.
– Arranging transfer back to the NHS, if appropriate.

Patients Are Responsible For:
– Paying for all private consultations, tests, and treatments.
– Making their own arrangements for private appointments and tests.
– Understanding the full costs involved in private care.

Orchard Surgery and Private Investigations

Orchard Surgery is not permitted to arrange tests, scans, or investigations requested by private providers as part of private care. NHS resources cannot be used to subsidise private healthcare.

If a private provider asks you to contact Orchard Surgery to organise such tests, please remind them:
“My NHS GP cannot arrange tests requested by a private provider. These must be arranged privately.”

Private providers making onward referrals to NHS providers

Private providers can make referrals to NHS services, without referral back to the GP, provided the patient would be eligible for NHS referral. Any patients referred should be treated based on clinical need. Read NHS England guidance around consultant-to-consultant referrals within the NHS.

Private Scans Arranged Independently

If you arrange a private scan (e.g., Ultrasound, MRI, CT) without seeing a private specialist:
– Orchard Surgery GPs may not have the expertise to interpret the results.
– We recommend consulting a private specialist who can arrange and interpret the scan appropriately.

General Practice and Private Healthcare

In line with NHS and British Medical Association (BMA) guidance:
– Orchard Surgery will only arrange investigations or prescribe medications necessary for NHS care, where the GP is the responsible clinician.
– NHS resources cannot be used to support private healthcare requests outside the scope of NHS care.
– Patients have the right to access their medical records and test results if they wish to share them with private providers.

For further details, please refer to the BMA guidance on General practice responsibility in responding to private healthcare:

General practice responsibility in responding to private healthcare

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us protect NHS resources and ensuring your care is managed safely and appropriately.