Question on NHS Coverage.

[WIZARD6787]

If a person in the UK hires a physician say at the Iron Clinic in Cambridge can that physician order tests and those tests are covered by NHS?

[wedgewood]

I’m sure that’s not possible . NHS tests can only be prescribed by a medical professional who is acting on behalf of the NHS .

[WIZARD6787 in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you for your reply. Is it not possible that if you go private and pay the physician that they can be acting on behalf of the NHS. Seems to me that otherwise the patient would have to pay for all testing out of pocket and only a select few would be able to afford that. A small market for the physician outside of NHS.

Perhaps the way it works is like a specialist and the patient is forced to go back to the GP.

I am asking for someone I love very much and that is why I am intense about finding whatever answers there are.

[wedgewood in reply to WIZARD6787]

If you see a medical professional privately ( i.e. you are paying them) they are not acting on behalf of the NHS if they advise procedures or tests , you have to pay for them . Otherwise that would be a way for wealthier people to “ jump the NHS queue “and then get free NHS TREATMENT . That would not be fair would it ?

In a medical emergency , eg heart attack , road accidents etc etc , there is no queue obviously , and all patients rich or poor , are treated immediately by the NHS

Private hospitals in U.K. don't have an A &E department , because the equipment and care needed is very expensive.

[WIZARD6787 in reply to wedgewood]

No it would not be fair. Thank you for that information. It is most valuable. My question is resolved.

[yorkshiregirl4 in reply to WIZARD6787]

Have just come across this post so apologies for the delay in responding. Unfortunately at a private appointment earlier this year I accepted the suggestion of a Consultant to have blood tests at a private hospital. I then received a payment request for over £700. The price for tests varies enormously from one hospital to another. I have also had a private consultation more recently having requested NHS blood tests before that appointment in order to take the results with me. There is nothing wrong, in my opinion, in asking for tests to be undertaken on the NHS if a GP agrees. Tests are not treatment or procedures.

We retired people have all paid for NHS tests over many years and are not adding ourselves to the already long waiting lists for an NHS consultation. The need to see a private Consultant also depends on the quality of the NHS GP service available to us in different parts of the country. I think a polite request to a GP for any necessary test could well be treated in a positive manner. Good luck

[WIZARD6787 in reply to yorkshiregirl4]

Thank you for that.

[Wwwdot]

Hi All

I am currently in a position where two members of my family are consulting with private consultants.

Some tests have been undertaken by the GP on advice from private consultant and hence through the NHS and some are undertaken privately.

It is my very basic understanding that it depends whether the tests constitute primary or secondary care - someone else may have a better understanding of the interface between the NHS and private healthcare in the UK.

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[WIZARD6787 in reply to Wwwdot]

That is very helpful. Thank you!

[Nackapan in reply to Wwwdot]

Yes a G.p can generate testing in the NHS if acts upon a letter from a private consultant.After all they also have paid into the system to cover health on the NHS.

Usually then placed in the system on the NHS waiting lists by G.p.

The same consultants often work privately and in the NHS so know how it works

Some of course who have Insurance or are wealthy get it all done privately as much quicker .

Also by doing this free up appointments in the NHS .

Alot is unfair .

Even from one area to the next as we all know.

[WIZARD6787 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you for your reply. Assuming it's the same with any prescriptions that are private physician might write.

[Nackapan in reply to WIZARD6787]

No if the private doctor writes it You pay for it privately.

Or if an NHS doctor writes the prescription you pay the NHS prescription charge for each item.

Or if on regular meds can buy a' season ticket that's more affordable.

It all has yk bf paid for in one way or another.

Sometimes if sold otc cheaper you buy it like that as often cheaper than prescription charge .

Some are exempt from paying .

[Wwwdot in reply to Nackapan]

Hi All

The private consultant I saw wrote to the GP advising of the prescription needed, then the GP prescribed this. Without the private consultation the GP would not have known what to prescribe. The GP also undertook the blood tests recommended by the private consultant and I gave the results to the private consultant. On the recommendation of the private consultant the GP made the referral to the gastroenterologist as GP had been unsure to which consultant to refer me to. Saved us a lot of wasted time seeing the wrong NHS consultant and made better use of NHS resources too.

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[Mixteca in reply to Wwwdot]

He who cannot be named...😉

[jaybirdxNHM]

Just remember that any of the private medics that you pay to see usually work both for the NHS and privately. A situation that I do not approve . I think all doctors should work for the NHS only for 10 yrs as it is us that train them. Then either leave the country or go private for an agreed proportion.They should get a pay rise now.

[helvella]

Within the UK, England only applies prescription charges. (Simplistically, that is £9.65 per prescription item.)

As you mentioned an Iron Clinic, it just might be worth pointing out that some iron medicines are available without prescription. And their prices can be less than the NHS prescription charge would be.

It is necessary to check each item individually. One reason being that some medicines are prescription-only at higher doses but over the counter or "Pharmacy" medicines at lower doses/in smaller quantities.

Not being prescription-only can also be a major convenience!

[Littlelodge123]

I saw a gastroenterologist privately. As part of my treatment plan he wrote to my GP to ask for some tests to be done on the NHS as he felt they ought to be done as part of my NHS care.