Fee for GP referral to specialist.

One of our members has raised a very interesting point. She has said that in order for her GP to refer her to a specialist, he has to pay a fee. Is this usual? His words, not hers.

Pats.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Pats - I hadn't heard of this previously. Although apparently GPs, if not already, are about to receive payments into their practices for NOT referring patients to hospital, so could this be what the GP in question really means? Not good news for us patients!

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Hi both. I'm going to ask for professional advice on this one from the GP on our medical advisory panel.

[Hidden]

During a recent blood test session, the nurse told me about the payments required for services, i.e. £1.50 for each blood test so I am not at all surprised that there is payment required for referrals to a specialist, I never was referred and with the huge extension being built at the surgery I currently attend, one wonders where the money actually goes.

[GreyOwl]

Yes that's correct. Any time a GP refers a patient to a consultant or a patient attends the local A&E, there is a fee which comes out of the GP's budget. The cost of prescriptions and any other treatment is paid from the GP's budget also.The NHS has had an internal market for some time now.

You can see why some GPs may be reluctant to refer if they are having budget strain!

[jinasc]

dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/...

The Govt paper on changes to NHS including Commissioning.

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Well, have got the response from our favourite GP. His reply is that this is a simple matter - it's that charging for a referral is never justified because it is against GPs' terms and conditions in the NHS and is not ethical as far as the General Medical Council is concerned. And indeed, our NHS is based on the principle of 'free at the point of delivery'.

[Hidden in reply to Polywotsit]

Whilst the NHS is free at the point of delivery ie patients do not have to pay nevertheless the taxpayers have to fund it. In the current economic climate it is likely that there are forms of rationing going on. In B&NES(Bath & North East Somerset) the headlines in this morning's local paper are that our Walk in Centre will be closing to save money and it will be replaced by something vague at the local hospital which is far less accessible. I hear that GPs are set a target to meet and that if they refer too many patients to specialists they suffer financial penalties. Unfortunately I have no firm evidence that you could take up. With the new commissioning system coming in there will be pressure on GPs to manage within set budgets and this is very worrying for sufferers of any serious illness.

[Hidden]

Thanks Kate,

I will now make a note of your comments to keep by me. You have made the matter of "referral" by GPs. clear. I hope that all members who have repetedly asked to see a specialist and have been refused by their doctor, take this fact on board. After all, is it not our right as patients to ask for a second opinion, if we are not satisfied with a diagnosis?

Pats.