Private Referral & Follow Up - GP Practice Policy from July 2023

This is necessary due to previous instances where problems have arisen, and is to clarify Consultant / GP responsibilities and roles, and ensure patient expectations are appropriate, and correctly informed.

Information for Patients

• If you see a Private Consultant, they may suggest further simple tests such as bloods, urine or stool tests etc. or more complex tests such as X-rays, scans, scopes depending on the problem. These should also be done within the private sector and should be factored into total costs.
• If the Consultant suggests a prescription, we are often happy to do an NHS prescription, but only if it is a licensed drug used appropriately, and is in the Northern Ireland formulary, but GPs retain the right to decline prescribing if they have significant concerns, and the Consultant is still able to prescribe by themselves privately.
• Depending on what treatment / prescription a Consultant recommends, patients should understand and be aware they may have to pay for any ongoing treatment or medications which are recommended (which the GP is not able or willing to prescribe for the reasons above).
• Sufficient post-operative medication, e.g. pain relief or anticoagulation, should be provided at discharge following procedures carried out by private sector providers, without needing a GP prescription.