Prescriptions after private consultations
We are aware that given the current NHS wait times, some of our patients opt to see a private doctor. This statement clarifies our position on prescriptions in this situation.
If you are seen privately for a single episode of care any short-term medications required should be paid for by the patient as part of that package of care. E.g. Private hip replacement requiring painkillers, blood thinners and antibiotics should be prescribed by the private operator.
A private consultation may identify a long-term condition which needs medication. If you ask us to take over prescribing of a medication recommended by a private doctor, we will need to be satisfied that prescribing is appropriate and in line with that we would prescribe for other NHS patients with the same condition. Whenever we prescribe medication for you, we are taking full responsibility for your care even if the medicine is recommended for you by another doctor.
Therefore, we will not prescribe medication in the following circumstances:
- We have not received adequate communication from the private doctor to explain the reasons you need the medication and that they have discussed the safety of the medication.
- The medication is not prescribed locally on the NHS (DOUBLE RED medications)
- The medication is for specialist only prescribing and we do not have the specialist expertise to safely monitor the medication
- The medication is not being used according to local or national prescribing guidelines or is not licensed for use in the UK for that indication
Shared care with private providers
“Shared care” refers to the process of a GP providing prescriptions for a specialist medication under the careful supervision of a specialist after the patient has been stabilised on that medication.
Sharing care with the private sector can carry higher risks than sharing care with the NHS and therefore decisions on this will be made on a case-by-case basis and may require discussion by the practice clinical team. Decisions on monitoring and dose changes will be taken by the Consultant. The decision to share care, or not, will be based on review of the following factors:
- The consultant is on the appropriate GMC specialist register and member of the relevant Royal College and based in the UK
- The consultant holds or has held in the past a substantive NHS Consultant post in the same specialty in which they are now practicing privately
- The consultant proposes to review the patient. If private review stops then prescribing by the practice will no longer be safe and will have to stop. For patients on an NHS waiting list, sharing care would be an interim measure until care is taken over by the NHS.
- There is a clear line of communication between the practice and the consultant for any queries and replies are received promptly.
- The medication is being used according to local or national prescribing guidelines or is licensed for use in the UK for that indication.