Practice Policy on request from non-NHS Healthcare Providers (eg private clincis, overseas medical teams)

As an NHS GP practice we are not always able to fulfil request from non-NHS providers for things such as investigations and prescriptions.

Our underlying principle is that we can assist with things that are standard primary care and are on the recommendation of an appropriately qualified expert. We will ask you for information about the person who has made the request and full details of the request.

Some specific details relating to prescription requests are:

  • It must be in line with the local BOB ICB formulary Medicines Optimisation | BOB ICB
  • For medication that is part of a Shared Care Protocol (SCP) the non-NHS provider must fulfil the specialists responsibilities Shared Care Protocols | BOB ICB
  • We will stop prescribing if you do not engage with necessary monitoring requirements or take responsibility for sharing of the results with your non NHS provider.

For blood tests and other investigations:

  • The tests must be in accordance with standard NHS primary care investigation and monitoring
  • If the tests are part of a Shared Care Protocol the specialist must confirm they will advise on the results.

Two clinical areas which we receive many such enquiries about relate to ADHD medication and Transgender prescribing. The general principles above apply. Please see below for more detail on these.

ADHD

  • We can only take on prescribing once any medication titration has taken place and the dose is stable
  • The specialist is responsible for all checks necessary prior to starting medication
  • We cannot undertake dose adjustments or medication changes as these are specialist responsibility in the SCP

Transgender Prescribing

  • We are not able to take on any Transgender prescribing for patients less than 18 years old
  • We have a due diligence process to evaluate private providers
  • ‘Standard NHS care’ with regard to medication choices is the Tavistock and Portman Shared Care Guideline
  • A face to face appointment with one of our GPs is necessary to discuss the recommendations of the provider and for you to review  and sign our patient agreement on prescribing for this indication