We are increasingly aware of instances of our patients independently accessing private (non-NHS) healthcare providers, often choosing to do so themselves without being referred by their registered NHS GP. Instances of this have included, but are not limited to, private GPs, ADHD and ASD diagnostic services, and gender identity services.

We fully support the ability of our patients to choose the healthcare which they feel is best suited to them, whether on the NHS or privately, and the rights of such services to exist and provide support to those able to access them. However, it is important to recognise the principle of equity of access which exists within the NHS, to ensure those with access to private health care do not use this access to obtain quicker treatment, or more favourable access, to NHS treatments.

In many instances, a private provider will deal with a specific problem, entirely independently of the NHS, and provide diagnosis, investigation and treatment of a full episode, without our involvement. However, we are seeing increasing instances of patients who have sought an initial private consultation or consultations, seeking to approach us to take on treatment or investigation which their private provider has recommended. This is problematic for a number of reasons, but mainly in relation to ensuring as safe care as possible where sometimes multiple, or unknown, providers have been involved in providing care.

Therefore, where one of our patients has chosen to seek a private medical opinion, independent of our involvement, please be advised that we will not take on responsibility for any ongoing investigation, treatments, or monitoring, arising in respect of this. Patients who approach us requesting any such interventions, will be re-directed to their private provider for advice.

Exceptions to this will only be made where the private provider has previously contacted us and provided a full report on their involvement with a patient, and where we have agreed to take on the ongoing responsibility for their care on this basis. Alternatively, any registered patient can contact us via any of our usual modes of communication – eConsult or by telephone – to arrange a review by ourselves of their condition; please note, however, that it is possible we may reach different conclusions than those obtained from a private provider. Such requests will be dealt with in the same timescale as those from all our patients, and not given any preferential treatment or access.