Private gp for just one issue

[secretiveFromnecessity]

If I go to a private gp about something will it be kept from my nhs gp ?

No they have to report back to your go so whatever treatment you have is added to your nhs notes. I have my depo injection privately but my doctor knows I have it.

So there’s no option to have confidentiality

They’ll probably ask if they can share with your GP. But even if you say no, if they feel it’s something that needs to be shared for your care they will. For example, they won’t prescribe something and not tell your GP (especially if it’s a more significant drug).

Why can't you see a normal nhs gp?

They will not automatically tell your GP that you've seen them. I've seen a private GP and they've never shared it with my own NHS GP.

And I've had prescriptions from my private GP, the details of which were not shared.

It depends. If they prescribe medication they have to tell them because it might affect future clinical decisions. If they prescribe an addictive drug they absolutely have to tell them because you could be an addict seeing multiple private GPs to get a fix.

N.B. if you're after diazepam forget it, a private GP wouldn't prescribe it without your medical records.

I've seen a private consultant in the past and my GP was not informed.

I used to work for a private GP. Information was not routinely shared with patient’s NHS GP unless the patient requested that it was.

My private GP has never shared my information with my NHS GP.

I went a number of times when I was breastfeeding DD2 and had recurrent agonising mastitis with myriad symptoms of infection and my usual practice was useless taking the pain seriously. They kept telling me to nurse through it and come back next week if it wasn't better when I was in huge distress. Private GP gave me antibiotics AND worked with me on latch, positioning and feeding frequency and I never had it again. Love the NHS but 8 mins isn't enough for many problems.

Nope, I've never had them share info (not least because I never provided the details of my NHS GP). Consent is hugely important!

Also, I've been prescribed all sorts privately (both from a GP and a psych) and my NHS GP has never been informed. This has actually included diazepam (re what PP says) but that was from a consultant psychiatrist rather than a GP.

Private Counselling referral and/or antidepressants

I do not under any circumstances want my nhs gp to know

Give a fake name to the private GP?

I hadnt thought of that. I don’t want to be deliberately deceptive I just want some help from somebody who won’t then cause more stress for me

You'd need a doctor for the antidepressants, of course, but not counselling if you're able to have it privately. You can just find yourself a counsellor and contact them, and while many will ask if they can contact your GP in an emergency, it's not something you need to agree to.

I've seen a private consultant and my GP remained completely ignorant. I was actually really keen for there to be some information sharing, but apparently this was impossible in practice for these particular parties...

Other option if you really want to be secretive: a private doctor abroad - cash pay.

havelock

I just want someone to help me that I can trust you and to get some treatment

I found my private counsellor from the BACP website.

I have a private GP in West London that I’d highly recommend if that helps.
She never shares info with my NHS GP

Thanks I’ll have a look
My nhs gp was so unhelpful and unpleasant that I’ve struggled now for a further four months and I can’t do it anymore but her words ring in my head and I can’t risk it.

I had depression as a teenager and had a bad few years I’ve had pnd before
I was feeling bad after my youngest and she said given my history if I had it again or even any sign of it that the relevant people would need to decide can I actually cope with my baby and meet his needs
I panicked and started to try to also give bottle feeds as was terrified if I get found out he would be taken and if he couldn’t take a bottle he wouldn’t be able to have milk.
He’s over a year now I feel no better but I’m too scared to tell my gp so I need to go private if it’s confidential

Yes please coldtoeshere

A private GP will still be bound to notify safeguarding teams if there are at risk children in your care.