EEHS

1. Your GP is referring you for care.  This includes any referral.  X-Rays to Mental Health.

2.The Place or Specialist you want to provide your care accepts NHS.  Some places accept NHS for some conditions and services but not others. Some private place DO NOT accept NHS for any services.  For example,  Spire Manchester only accepts private referrals for some gastrology needs while Spire Regency only accepts NHS for some Osteo conditions.  

3. They Place or Specialist you want to provide your care has availability for NHS patients.  As expected, each private place only has a limited number of spaces for NHS patients.   You will not always be able to find a private location in your area that treats your needs and accepts NHS and also has availability. 

Your GP may be uneducated in NHS policy or have their own reasons to tell you it is not possible to have private care on the NHS.  This is not true and all NHS staff have no excuse for not know all NHS policy.  

When they make your referral, an Ereferral in most cases, the private locations that will accept NHS pop up on their screen during the process.  I have been told by doctors at the Brookes Surgery in Hyde that it is not possible to go private on the NHS and once  sent the links to the NHS website explaining the process, I was told I am misunderstanding what I'm reading.  These experiences are common.  You can help this process by knowing what places actually take NHS for your referred need.  It may benefit you to pick a few locations you feel comfortable getting care from and call their billing department to verify they will take NHS for your required service.  Just because a private facility has an NHS department does not necessarily mean they will take it for your need.  

All Private specialists and facilities have their own policies and processes.  It's important to acknowledge and accept that.  Do not try to complain your way into getting them to act in a way that you expect, want or experienced at another location. Some places may have the ability to be put on a waiting list while others don't.  Some may have NHS availability at certain times on specific days.  Many may have different requirements when it comes to accepting your referral.

It may be best to reserve this choice if you need to take advantage of your legal right to a second opinion.  Just because the opportunity to go private is available, please reserve your requests to when you have no faith in any facility for your need in your area.  This helps keep the NHS places in private care for situations where it is needed. 

If you need help with a referral to a private or your local facilities and just want to ask some questions or get advice please feel free to contact us.  We can help you find links or understand more about referrals and the process.

READ FOR YOURSELF!  click this link to see a brochure published by the NHS about choosing who you see if you need a referral.

www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/patient-leaflet-digital.pdf