Our practice policy
We understand that patients may choose to receive care privately and may subsequently ask the practice to continue their treatment, arrange tests or take over prescribing.
Our practice does not accept shared care prescribing or monitoring requests for privately funded treatment. This means that your private specialist must continue to arrange your prescriptions, any necessary tests and monitoring, and ongoing specialist reviews.
ADHD requests are covered by our separate ADHD policy.
What is shared care?
Shared care is an arrangement where a GP and specialist agree to share responsibility for a patient’s treatment. It sets out who is responsible for prescribing, tests, monitoring and specialist reviews.
Shared care is voluntary and requires agreement from the clinicians involved and the patient. The practice must be satisfied that it can safely undertake its responsibilities and that appropriate specialist support is available.
What this means for patients and private providers
Where treatment requires ongoing specialist involvement, the private provider remains responsible unless another clinician or service has formally accepted responsibility.
Please discuss these arrangements and any associated costs with your private provider before starting treatment. Private providers should not assume that the practice will take over prescribing, tests or monitoring.
A recommendation from a private specialist, or prescribing previously provided by another GP practice, does not automatically mean that Woosehill Medical Centre will take over treatment.
Requests for NHS prescriptions
A private prescription will not automatically be converted into an NHS prescription.
Where a recommended treatment falls within routine GP care and does not require shared care, a GP may consider prescribing following their own clinical assessment. They must be satisfied that the treatment is appropriate, within their expertise and consistent with relevant NHS prescribing guidance.
Where specialist prescribing or monitoring is required, this should continue with the private provider or an appropriate NHS specialist service.
Tests and investigations
Tests needed solely for the assessment or monitoring of privately managed treatment should be arranged and reviewed by the private provider.
The practice may arrange tests where a GP independently considers them necessary for the patient’s NHS care and can take responsibility for reviewing the results and arranging any further action.
Transferring treatment to the NHS
If you would like to transfer your treatment to the NHS, we can consider an appropriate referral.
The NHS specialist will assess your needs and decide on the treatment and prescribing arrangements. A referral does not guarantee that the same treatment will be continued. Normal NHS eligibility criteria and waiting times apply.
While you are waiting for NHS assessment, your private provider remains responsible for your private treatment unless another clinician or service has formally accepted responsibility.
Independent providers delivering NHS funded care
Some independent providers deliver NHS funded treatment, including through applicable Right to Choose pathways. This is different from privately funded treatment.
Requests from these providers will be considered under the relevant NHS arrangements, local guidance and our practice policies.
NHS shared care is also voluntary. The practice may decline a request where there are concerns about safety, clinical expertise, specialist support, governance or capacity.
Your ongoing NHS care
Choosing private healthcare does not affect your entitlement to NHS care. We will continue to provide appropriate NHS GP care and consider relevant clinical information from private providers.
If we cannot accept a request, we will explain the decision and advise you on appropriate next steps.
For patients already receiving treatment, a clinician will consider their individual circumstances and any risks from interrupting treatment. This policy does not automatically end an existing prescribing arrangement.
If you are concerned about side effects, worsening symptoms or running out of medication, please contact your treating provider promptly. You can also contact the practice for assessment of urgent clinical concerns.
ADHD care
Please refer to our separate ADHD policy for the specific arrangements relating to ADHD assessment, prescribing and shared care.
This policy has been developed with reference to the British Medical Association (BMA) guidance on general practice responsibility in responding to private healthcare and reflects Woosehill Medical Centre’s approach to safe prescribing and shared care.