Private Referrals

We understand that due to long waiting times within the NHS, or due access to private medical insurance, some people are deciding to attend private hospitals and clinics. 

We are happy to make private referrals, and in some cases GP consultation is not required. If you have booked a private specialist appointment for which a referral is requested, but you do not feel GP consultation is required, please notify reception who you are seeing, where you are seeing them, when the appointment is and the reason for the private consultation. The receptionists can ask one of our GPs will make the referral. If further information is required you may be asked to book a routine GP appointment. No fee is required for this.

In some cases, including Moratorium Medical Insurance policies, the medical insurance company will request we complete a form. This form often requires doctors to look back through your many years of medical records which can be time consuming. Please be aware that this is private work and commands a fee either paid by yourself or your insurance company. NHS work takes priority over any private work therefore no timescale for completion any such forms can be given. Fee is dependent on GP time spent completing the form.

Private Medicals, Letters or Insurance Reports

Please be aware that this is private work any non-NHS work commands a fee either paid by yourself or your insurance company. NHS work takes priority over any private work therefore no timescale for completion any such forms can be given. Fee is dependent on GP time spent completing the form.

Private Health Providers

We appreciate that due to long waiting times within the NHS some people are deciding to attend private hospitals and clinics. Please be aware that Douglas Street Surgery is contracted to provide health services on behalf of NHS Lanarkshire, but is not under any obligation to follow any requests from private health providers.

If a private specialist thinks you need any tests (including blood tests) or procedures, they are responsible for:

• arranging the test or procedure
• providing you the results and explaining what the results mean

The cost of these tests should be paid for within the private sector, which may increase the costs you incur. GP practices should not be asked to perform blood tests or other private investigations using NHS resources. A private GP or specialist can refer to NHS secondary care services but should not expect your GP practice to do this for them. If a private specialist informs you to arrange or to expect to hear from your NHS GP to arrange such tests, then this is incorrect. You should, at the time, remind the specialist that all tests need to be carried out privately. Avoiding inappropriate requests for your NHS GP to carry out tests will:

• Avoid delay in having your tests
• Ensure that the right person (your specialist) gets the results directly
• Avoid delays in your Specialist reviewing your results and planning any required follow up

If a private specialist recommends a new medication

• if the clinician recommends a new medication be started they should write to the GP outlining the reasons for the treatment
• private clinics may suggest medications to patients which would not normally be prescribed by NHS GPs. This particularly relates to medications which are not included in NHS Lanarkshire Formulary, medications that require regular monitoring (for example disease modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs, some psychiatric medications, medications for ADHD), medications for sedation before procedures, medications used outside of their license and medications restricted for specialist or hospital use only. In these cases you may be advised by the Private Clinician or Douglas Street Surgery that the Practice will be unable to provide you with a prescription for this medications. If you wish to start or continue with this medication- you will need to receive it from the private service. Please contact the private service directly to organise this.