Can I access private GP without my NHS GP knowing?

[Hanlonsamazer]

There are a number of reasons for this, partly relating to confidentiality and partly occupational health. Am I able to see a private GP for a “one off” issue and it not be added to my medical records?

Yes

Yes, I’ve done it. The private GP asked me to sign a form saying that I consent for them to send a record of the meeting to my NHS GP, and I said no cos I don’t want that, and they said oh ok we won’t contact your NHS doctor then.

I actually found the private GP less helpful than I hoped. They basically made a list of questions for me to ask my NHS GP, and suggested I ask my NHS GP for a referral to a consultant, then did lot so of standard height, weight, blood pressure checks etc and charged me £170. 🧐

@Pthalo hmm. Not very helpful!! Any tips on finding one? I’m just googling them local to me atm.

I can’t imagine a scenario whereby you wouldn’t want one GP to notify your NHS GP of any treatment / test results etc that they may have given you. Sounds slightly unethical to me.

Yes you can. I am seeing a private GP right now as I wanted him to understand all background before advising - a more holistic approach if you like. Very helpful, and because I felt listened to I am more bought in to the advice.

Yes you can. They ask me if I want them to share my appointment notes, I say no, so they don’t. You have to sign a form to consent to it.

Where about are you? I can recommend ours but could be miles from you.

There are plenty of private GPs around. I used one to have a shingles vaccine. The NHS told me I was not old enough and no, I could not pay them to have one. Typical NHS shortsightedness.

When I used a private GP (actually all private medical treatment) they automatically wrote to my NHS GP with details of treatment, prescriptions etc.

I used BUPA for a private GP phone appointment, think I paid £100.

Surely that’s because through the NHS, certain treatments / vaccines / screenings are age linked and there isn’t a facility to pay your GP to override the system? That’s not a GP error.

You clearly don’t have a very broad imagination. I understand my own health well enough. Out of interest, which ethical principle do you think it undermines?

Buckinghamshire. Also happy for London as I work centrally every couple of weeks.

Online GP’s - haven’t used myself but Doctor Care Anywhere and Push Doctor
both offer one of appointment payg (don’t have to have an ongoing membership and should ask about sharing details) both have price pages on their website.

Otherwise if you live near a city look for local billboard advertising if you are a driver (remember coming through Chelmsford in the summer and seeing a private service advertised or check out your nearest private hospital who may have private GP service you can see face 2 face.

Same day doctor near Liverpool Street Station are good (Dr Christopher Scott) and Fleet Street Clinic on Fleet Street (forget the lady's name I saw there but her first name is Belinda, Belinda Griffiths? she was great).

I went to Belinda a year or so ago with a complicated issue and she was fabulous. I couldn't even get an appointment at my own GP! They can do all sorts of follow up tests there and have good referrals. I think you opt out of them telling your GP. At Same Day Doctor, I wasn't even asked (but I only needed a prescription for something so it wasn't complicated).

I saw good GP at Highgate Hospital if that isn't too far for you?

Fleet Street Clinic are excellent. My workplace uses them for all staff travel requirements (vaccinations, malaria etc) and ive always been really impressed.

I’ve seen Laurence Gerliss a few times.

Also Princess Grace, wellington and I think London Bridge all have urgent care walk in centres where you see a GP. I often use them also.

(I don't wish to derail but if anyone is interested in the expanded criteria for the shingles Shingrix vaccine as of 1/9/23, I've a thread on the Autoimmune board in this Health section.)

Sorry for interrupting, OP. I hope you find yourself a good private GP.

Forgot to add a link

https://samedaydoctor.org/dr-laurence-gerlis-gmc-1736645-ma-mb-bchir-mrcp-uk-dip-pharm-med/

Yes, there is no crossover whatsoever between private and NHS GPs in my experience. The difference in seeing a private one vs NHS is like night and day! So refreshing to actually have a ‘proper’ thorough appointment with useful advice rather than be rushed out the door after 5 mins

How do you find out the name of a private GP I'm in Wales and no-one advertises. It's like a secret society here.

Last time I went to see my gp face to face (about 6 months ago) they started a stop watch as soon as I walked through the door! .....the pressure!

I used Doctirs Clinic last year in Twickenham last year (they have other London branches and they are excellent -completely different to NHS where you b early weeks for an appointment. Very thorough and gave me an urgently needed sick note. They didn’t ask for NHS doc details and I didn’t offer.

I was going to say Princess Grace and near to Marylebone and Euston I think stations! Been there recently (different department) but great patient experience.

Great. Thank you for everyone’s advice. I walk past Princess Grace so have made an appointment there.