This page is specifically about private providers. If you wish to discuss a private referral, please speak to your clinician during your consultation. Below covers more general points about private referrals.
Self referrals
Patients can self refer to a private provider without a letter from a GP by contacting the provider directly. If a paper summary of your record is required for your private appointment, please contact the surgery who will be able to provide this free of charge. We cannot advise regarding who you should refer yourself to as this is deemed to be “anti-competitive”.
NHS referrals
If you choose to see a private provider in place of an NHS referral given by your GP, the surgery can supply the original referral letter on request. This will be free of charge.
A private provider may require a referral letter or specific insurance form to be completed by your GP. This will be chargeable as per our current fees policy, which can be found on our website.
Tests/medications/further referrals
GPs are not under any obligation to carry out tests or prescribe medications requested by a private provider. These tests and medications can be provided by a private provider.
Where medications are within the scope of ordinary care by a GP, requests may be considered on an individual basis. If agreed, this prescription would be processed as non-urgent and in line with our usual medication processes.
If yourself and your private consultant decide that you would like to transfer your care to the NHS then they are able to refer you directly and you do not need a referral from your GP. If you seen need to be seen by a different specialty then again your private consultant can refer directly to them and you do not need to be referred by your GP.
Shared care
The process by which the responsibility of a patient’s care is shared between a GP and consultant is referred to as shared care. The duties and responsibilities of each party must be confirmed in a written agreement.
Park Lane Surgery alongside the other practices in Waters Green Medical Centre have made the decision to not enter into shared care agreements with private providers.
This page is specifically about private providers. If you wish to discuss a private referral, please speak to your clinician during your consultation. Below covers more general points about private referrals.
Self referrals
Patients can self refer to a private provider without a letter from a GP by contacting the provider directly. If a paper summary of your record is required for your private appointment, please contact the surgery who will be able to provide this free of charge. We cannot advise regarding who you should refer yourself to as this is deemed to be “anti-competitive”.
NHS referrals
If you choose to see a private provider in place of an NHS referral given by your GP, the surgery can supply the original referral letter on request. This will be free of charge.
A private provider may require a referral letter or specific insurance form to be completed by your GP. This will be chargeable as per our current fees policy, which can be found on our website.
Tests/medications/further referrals
GPs are not under any obligation to carry out tests or prescribe medications requested by a private provider. These tests and medications can be provided by a private provider.
Where medications are within the scope of ordinary care by a GP, requests may be considered on an individual basis. If agreed, this prescription would be processed as non-urgent and in line with our usual medication processes.
If yourself and your private consultant decide that you would like to transfer your care to the NHS then they are able to refer you directly and you do not need a referral from your GP. If you seen need to be seen by a different specialty then again your private consultant can refer directly to them and you do not need to be referred by your GP.
Shared care
The process by which the responsibility of a patient’s care is shared between a GP and consultant is referred to as shared care. The duties and responsibilities of each party must be confirmed in a written agreement.
Park Lane Surgery alongside the other practices in Waters Green Medical Centre have made the decision to not enter into shared care agreements with private providers.