Private Provider Requests to GPs for Investigations under the NHS (Jan 2024)
We are aware that practices are increasingly being asked to carry out investigations and provide treatment for their registered patients following private hospital appointments. We want to clarify that such requests may well be outside the scope of NHS primary medical services.
If the GP considers the proposed investigations to be clinically appropriate and would require them in the ordinary course of treating their patient and is competent to both interpret them and manage the care of the patient accordingly, then the clinician may proceed with arranging the investigations for the patient as per the provision of NHS primary medical services.
If the GP is asked by a private provider to arrange investigations or tests, the results of which the GP would not be able to interpret and/or the GP does not feel clinically competent to manage the patient accordingly, they should advise the patient and the provider that the services do not fall within NHS Primary medical services and that they will need to make alternative arrangements.
Please see attached letter templates:
- Respond to private providers BMA template
- Letter to patients respond to request for aftercare from GP following private bariatric surgery
For more detail please see BMA link below