Non NHS Services

The NHS provides free health care for most people.

It is important to understand that GPs are self employed and not all of the services we provide are covered by the NHS payments to the practice.

Please expect a fee for non NHS services. The staff or your doctor should inform of any charges before carrying out non NHS work.

The NHS does not pay for some of our services, please see below for the charges applicable to the services we offer:

* indicates the actual fee dependant on level of complexity and time required to complete. You will be informed prior to completion if the fee changes

1. NHS GP Role in Private Referrals

Patients may request a private referral from their NHS GP to access consultant-led private healthcare. While we support patients in exercising their right to choose private care, all referral requests made through the NHS must follow the same clinical assessment and administrative processes as NHS referrals.

2. Standard Waiting Times Apply

Due to clinical and administrative workloads, all referral requests—whether for NHS or private care—are subject to the same waiting times. This ensures:

• Equitable service for all patients

• Safe and clinically appropriate decision-making

• Consistent processing and documentation

Please note that requesting a private referral through your NHS GP does not expedite the initial assessment or preparation of referral letters.

3. Alternative Options Through Insurance Providers

Some health insurance policies include access to private GP services, which can often issue referrals directly. If you have private medical insurance, we recommend checking whether your policy offers:

• Access to a private GP (often via phone or video)

• Direct referral pathways that bypass NHS administrative steps

• Faster access to private consultants

Using this route may significantly reduce waiting times.

4. Our Recommendation

If you are looking to access private care more urgently—and have private insurance or the ability to use a private GP service—we advise pursuing a referral through those channels. This avoids delays related to NHS GP waitlists and processing times.

In Summary

We are happy to support private referral requests. However, NHS GP services cannot guarantee faster access. For urgent or expedited private care, using your insurer’s GP service is likely the most efficient route.

At Walkley House and Stannington Medical Centre, we understand that some patients may choose to seek private healthcare alongside their NHS care.

 We are happy to support your healthcare choices and aim to provide clarity on how investigations requested by private providers are managed within NHS primary care.

Key Points of Our Policy:

• If you have seen a private consultant and they recommend investigations—such as blood tests, imaging (e.g. X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs), ECGs, or other diagnostic procedures—these should be arranged and carried out by the private provider.
• It is the responsibility of the private consultant or their team to organise, perform, and interpret any investigations they request.
• As an NHS GP practice, we are only able to provide investigations that are clinically indicated and routinely offered within NHS primary care.
• We are not funded to carry out tests requested by private providers that fall outside of NHS primary care services.
• If your private consultant arranges investigations through their own service, please be aware that charges may apply.

Need Advice?

If you are unsure whether a test or investigation is covered by NHS provision, please contact the practice team. We are happy to advise on what can be provided within the NHS and help ensure your care is coordinated appropriately.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

At Walkley House and Stannington Medical Centre, our primary commitment is to provide safe, effective, and high-quality care to all our NHS patients. In line with this commitment, we have established a policy regarding shared care arrangement initiated by private providers.

What is Shared Care

Shared care involves the joint management of a patient’s treatment between a specialist (often in secondary care) and a GP. This arrangement is typically formalised through a shared care agreement, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities for both parties.

Our Stance on Shared Care

Due to increasing demands on NHS resources and the need to prioritise patient safety, our practice has decided no to accepted shared care requests from September 2024 for medications initiated by private providers. This decision is based on several key factors:

1. Capacity Constraints
   • Our practice is committed to serving our NHS patients effectively. Accepting private shared care requests can strain our resources and impact our ability to provide timely care to those we are contracted to serve.
2. Safety Concerns
   • Medications initiated by private providers may require specialised monitoring and expertise that our practice may not have the capacity to provide. Ensuring patitent safety is our utmost priority.
3. Lack of Support:
   • Shared care arrangement with private providers often lack the necessary support and communication channels needed for effective management. This can lead to potential risks and complications in patient care.

What this means for our patients:

• Patients who have been prescribed medications by private providers will need to continue their care through those providers.
• We encourage open communication with your private provider to ensure you receive the necessary support and guidance for your treatment.

Conclusion

Our decision to not participate in private shared care arrangements is made with the best interests of our patients of our patients and practice in mind. We remain dedicated to providing high quality NHS care and ensuring the safe and well being of all our patients.

For any questions or further information, please feel free to contact our practice directly.