Private GP referring to NHS

[Lila9]

Has anyone used a private GP before? I was wondering about getting a video call appointment with one, but I haven't used private healthcare before. Could they refer me to an NHS specialist if needed, or make a diagnosis the same as the NHS can? Thanks!

I’m sure someone will be able to confirm more up to date information than me OP.
I think I’m right in this in saying they can.
I had private investigations done with consultants for unexplained intestinal pain. One was a gynaecologist who told me he would transfer me to his care under the NHS for various reasons (I think his thoughts were financial to protect me) and it transferred smoothly.
I had laparoscopic surgery on the NHS not long after he transferred me which solved the problem.
I think the NHS might be the only option for some surgeries especially if there’s a risk of haemorrhage (There was for me as I’d previously almost died) because of access to resources that private hospital might not have.
But I’m not certain and of course that might not be the case for what you are seeing them for.
Hope someone else responds to you soon

I've used one. I just googled private GP and the area I live and the nearest came up.

From memory I chose a 30 minute appointment at a cost of £150. You could have a 20 minute one for £120

It was very weird to have so much time with the GP to ask lots of things (good but weird)

The one I saw was an NHS doctor who still worked for the NHS but had set up his own business part-time. So he used to be full time NHS and now he is part-time NHS and part-time private.

As far as I know they just diagnose the same as NHS GP's although they may tell you about drugs not available on the NHS due to cost etc.

He gave me two perscriptions and one cost me £25 to fill and the other which I haven't filled yet as the first one is working would be £125. So just be aware you have to pay for your own perscriptions. Mine was antibiotic lotion for a skin condition.

I asked about something that would involve going on long term medication and asked if he could get the NHS to pay for it. He said he could start me on it and then write to my own GP and say I need this and to put it on my repeat perscription list. By the same token I would imagine they can do the same with appointment needed with specialist but I think you would have to ask the GP.

Anyway that was my experience. Couldn't be bothered with hassle of phoning at 8am everyday and no appointments left. Did it a few days then went private.

Best of luck

I went to a private consultant after my GP said I could be referred on the NHS but it could take 8 months to be seen.
I saw the private Doctor within 3 days who was really understanding of my case and asked if I could go private for an X-ray. I said no, unfortunately not.
He sent me to the hospital within an hour and I was X-rayed.
He then phoned me later that afternoon and said he had added me to his waiting list for surgery on his NHS list. This was November and I had surgery (a total hip replacement) in the following March.
I was 29 with 3 young children at the time and confined to a wheelchair prior to the operation.
Im now in my 60’s and the same hip is going strong. Apparently my socket was almost nonexistent after being born with congenital dislocation of the hip and being in a ‘frog’ plaster for 12 months when I was a toddler.

Sorry this is long winded but if you can afford a private consultation, it may be worth it in the long run.

Thanks everyone that's all really helpful!

So private GP makes some money then refers people to the NHS lists?

We really need to up our game with GPs to make sure everyone gets a good service.

That's good to know thanks. 🙂 Can they order blood tests if needed? It's for post viral fatigue and migraines if that makes a difference.

I have, and it was really good. Lots and lots of time in the appt.

Does anyone have any experience of this one? Beneden health.
https://www.benenden.co.uk/

Medical secretary in private practice here. As far as I know (48 years a med sec so far), they cannot refer you to an NHS specialist(though they can sometimes write to an NHS consultant they know personally to mention what they know about you and to look out for an NHS GP referral). I mostly work for private consultants. Patients sometimes ask them to refer them to NHS if they don't have insurance or to see them as an NHS patient if they are also working in the NHS. The answer is always that they must go back to their NHS GP, who can directly refer them to the NHS consultant. There is no other acceptable way under the guidelines. Of course, the private consultant will write to your NHS GP with their recommendations and test results, which may help your GP do a referral. If the private consultant has an NHS attachment too , it still has to be done via an NHS GP referral, as the NHS will not accept any other mode of referral. Seeing a doctor privately might save you time by getting blood tests, scans etc done quicker, if you can afford them, as the NHS consultant should be helped by copies of these. They did occasionally do it about 20+ years ago but they now cannot.

Thanks I'll have a look

Well I got a sent to a private hospital for surgery as a NHS patient so I don't see why it wouldn't be any different the other way round.

That's what I was thinking. So the private GP can just bump people up various NHS queues? If so that doesn't seem morally correct at all.