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We now have a first contact physio, Sam, who can see you to help with any musculoskeletal problems. Please book directly with reception if you would like to see her. 

PRIVATE REFERRALS

MUNLOCHY & NORTH KESSOCK MEDICAL PRACTICE

INFORMATION FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS

We have seen an increase in the request for private referrals for healthcare. This guide is intended to help your understanding of the process and responsibilities of patients, their GPs, and that of the private healthcare provider.

REFERRAL PROCESS

Please contact your insurance company or healthcare provider of choice to arrange the appointment and discuss the requirements. If a referral letter is needed this can usually be provided by the practice and either given to you or emailed to a specific email address. There is a £20 administration charge for a private referral letter.

GPs and staff cannot, and will not, make recommendations for private providers.     `

We can only write referral letters for patients/conditions that we have seen or discussed. Please allow 2 weeks for a referral letter to be typed. We cannot refer for private investigations e.g. ultrasound or MRI. These investigations need to be overseen by a consultant in the private sector to request and then interpret the results.

SEEING THE CONSULTANT

If the consultant thinks you need any tests or investigations, they are responsible for arranging the tests and for following up and acting on the results. The practice will not be able to access results of any investigations. The consultant is responsible for giving you your results and explaining them to you.

The outcome of any appointment and tests is usually communicated to the practice via a letter and takes at least 7 days. If we have not received a letter, it is your responsibility to speak to the consultant or their secretary to chase up results or letters.

PRESCRIPTIONS

If a consultant prescribes medication for you, you will have to pay the full cost of the drug and not the standard NHS fee. If a consultant suggests a new long-term prescription, the GP may be able to continue the prescription on an NHS basis. This depends on the following criteria;

  • The medicine is able to be prescribed by a GP (some medicines are only allowed to be prescribed by specialists e.g. Roaccutane for acne)
  • For medications which are to be initiated by a specialist there must be a clear shared care protocol ongoing between the patient, the practice and the consultant (this is standard practice particularly in rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology and psychiatry)
  • The medication is in the NHS Highland Formulary
  • The GP is willing to take responsibility for prescribing and monitoring
  • The medicine would normally be available to an NHS patient
  • The medicine is not unlicensed or experimental

TRANSFERRING BACK TO THE NHS

If after seeing a consultant privately you wish to transfer back to NHS care this should be arranged by your consultant. If for any reason this does not happen, then speak to us and we can discuss referral on the NHS. A transfer over from private to NHS care will result in the same length of wait as if the referral had been sent to the NHS directly. You cannot pay to move up a waiting list on the NHS.

If you have any questions regarding this information, then please get in touch with one of the members of the practice staff.

SURGERY ABROAD WITHOUT NHS REFERRAL

Choosing to pay to travel abroad for surgery is  not recommended by NHS Scotland, or by the surgical specialist associations in the UK. Surgical options in Scotland can appear more expensive, but you should think about the potential savings against the potential risk of travelling for surgery

If you still wish to do this, be aware that NHS Scotland is under no obligation to provide pre or post operative care other than emergency care. 

Read this helpful NHS guidance before choosing whether to travel abroad for surgery:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/surgical-procedures/surgery-abroad-without-nhs-referral/

Munlochy & North Kessock Medical Practice



 
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