No practices in North West Edinburgh will be prescribing medication for patients from private clinics. This applies to both Adults and Children.

This does not affect patients who are already currently prescribed medication by us. Please see the statement below

Private Provider Message

From 1 June 2024 we will no longer be able to take on prescribing and monitoring of shared-care medications or specialist monitoring of certain medical conditions for ANY patients with a diagnosis made in the private sector. These shared-care medications and/or conditions require specialist monitoring and review, and many such medications are either only licensed for specialist prescribing or prescribed outside their licensed use.  Medications prescribed for ADHD, gender incongruence, dementia, Isotretinoin for severe acne, monitoring after private bariatric surgery are some examples.    

This is a decision that has been agreed across GP practices in Lothian and supported by the Lothian Local Medical Committee due to capacity and workload issues, the longstanding underfunding in primary care, and the impact of long NHS waiting lists. We appreciate your understanding during these challenging times. We are more than happy to discuss onward NHS referrals in a routine appointment for a second opinion or transfer of care, but we cannot prescribe in the interim period.   

Where a private specialist recommends the prescribing of a non-formulary or unlicensed medication we can only agree to ongoing prescribing if we have experience of the medication requested. If this is not the case, you will be directed back to the private provider for private provision or offered a suitable, formulary-based alternative that is within our remit as NHS GPs.    

With regards to a private provider requesting investigation by the GP, the British Medical Association guidance clearly states that investigation should only be arranged through the GP-patient encounter and within the competencies of the GP. With regards to a private provider seeking a GP opinion for appropriateness of a privately provided treatment, again this is not within the NHS-funded duties of a GP. There are many other instances where the request from the private provider may not be accepted, and we will communicate this clearly to the best of our ability. 

Services which are outwith the NHS Contract

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.

Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.

PLEASE NOTE ALL FEES MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO AND IN ADVANCE OF THIS WORK BEING CARRIED OUT BY CASH, CHEQUE OR BANK TRANSFER. AN INVOICE CAN BE PROVIDED WHERE REQUIRED.

Your questions answered

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: for example, medical reports for insurance companies or patients visting from countries with no reciprocol agreement with the UK

Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.

In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving Doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:

• accident/sickness insurance certificates
• certain travel vaccinations
• private medical insurance reports
• statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
• Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
• Holiday cancellation claim forms
• Referral for private care forms

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:

• medical reports for an insurance company
• some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
• examinations of occupational health

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.

I only need the Doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a Doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the Doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the Doctor with the General Medical Council or even the Police.

What can I do to help?

• If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
• Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight

Examples of Non-NHS Services include the following: 

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.) 
• Insurance Claim Forms 
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad 
• Private Sick Notes 
• Vaccination Certificates 

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and Practice Reception Staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.