Can a Private GP Refer to NHS?

At Premier Private GP, we’re often asked a range of questions about how private healthcare works alongside the NHS. One of the most common queries we receive from patients is, “Can a private GP refer to the NHS?” The simple answer is yes – a private GP can absolutely refer a patient to the NHS. However, the process isn’t always straightforward, and there are some important factors to understand when considering your options.

In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you see a private GP and how referrals to the NHS work. We’ll also explain the benefits and limitations of the process, and help you make an informed decision about your healthcare journey. Whether you’re new to private healthcare or already registered with us, this guide will clarify how both systems can work together to support your health.

How Private GPs and the NHS Can Work Together

As a private GP in Ascot, we work closely with patients who value convenience, longer appointments, faster access to care, and a more personalised approach to health. While private healthcare can offer many benefits, there are times when patients may still need or prefer to use NHS services – particularly when it comes to hospital treatment, specialist services, or long-term care that may be more accessible or affordable through the NHS.

The good news is that private GPs, including those of us here at Premier Private GP, are fully qualified medical doctors. This means we can write formal referral letters to NHS consultants or services, just as an NHS GP would. These letters are accepted by NHS hospitals, allowing patients to transition from private to NHS care when appropriate.

However, the route from private GP to NHS care isn’t always automatic. In most cases, after receiving a referral letter from a private GP, the NHS may require the patient’s NHS GP to review and approve the referral before proceeding. This can involve the NHS GP re-issuing the referral under their name. It doesn’t mean the process starts from scratch, but it does add an extra step that patients should be aware of when planning their treatment timeline.

Understanding the Referral Process

When you visit a private GP for a consultation, we take a detailed history, carry out any necessary examinations or tests, and then, if needed, provide a written referral letter for further investigation or specialist input. This might be to a specific NHS department, such as dermatology, cardiology, gynaecology, or orthopaedics.

The referral letter we provide contains all relevant clinical information, including your symptoms, test results, and any relevant medical background. It is written to the same professional standard as an NHS referral. However, in many areas, NHS hospitals are now required to receive referrals only through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). This is an electronic system that allows patients to choose an NHS hospital and book their appointment through a digital platform, but it must be accessed through an NHS GP.

As a result, while we at Premier Private GP can prepare the referral and provide a clear clinical recommendation, most NHS hospitals will still ask for your NHS GP to input that referral into their system. This can be frustrating for patients expecting a seamless process, but it’s unfortunately a matter of NHS policy in most trusts. The good news is that your NHS GP is likely to honour the private GP’s recommendation and will often issue the referral with minimal delay, particularly if the private GP letter is thorough and well-documented – which we always ensure.

What You Can Do to Help the Process

If you are hoping to transition from private GP care into the NHS system for further treatment, it’s a good idea to keep your NHS GP informed about your health. We always recommend that patients share their private consultation notes and referral letters with their NHS GP so that their records are up to date and no information is missed. You are entitled to ask your NHS GP to issue a referral based on a private GP letter, and many GPs will cooperate with this request, especially if they trust the clinical reasoning provided.

At Premier Private GP, we are happy to work alongside your NHS GP and send letters directly to their practice if needed, with your permission. We take care to ensure our referrals are professionally written, clinically detailed, and include everything your NHS GP would need to make an informed decision quickly. While we cannot guarantee how long it will take for an NHS referral to be processed, we do our best to support you in managing the transition between services.

Patients also have the option to bypass the NHS altogether and continue privately with consultants if they prefer. Many of the same specialists who work in NHS hospitals also offer private appointments, and referrals from us can go directly to private clinics without the need for further approval. This route offers the benefit of faster appointments and fewer delays, but it does come with additional costs.

The Advantages of Starting with a Private GP

One of the biggest benefits of seeing a private GP is the speed at which you can be assessed, diagnosed, and referred if needed. At Premier Private GP, we offer same-day and next-day appointments, longer consultation times, and immediate access to private testing and imaging where necessary. If you are experiencing new symptoms or a health concern that you’re worried about, we can often help you understand what’s going on much more quickly than the traditional NHS route.

Even if you ultimately wish to have your treatment carried out on the NHS, starting with a private GP can save you time. You won’t need to wait weeks for a GP appointment, and your referral letter will be ready to go as soon as you choose to involve your NHS doctor. This means you can approach your NHS GP with a clear diagnosis or recommendation already in hand, which may help speed up the rest of the process.

We understand that healthcare decisions involve not just clinical concerns but also financial and logistical ones. That’s why we are always happy to talk through your options in full, helping you weigh up the pros and cons of continuing privately or moving into NHS care. Our focus is on giving you control over your health journey, with all the information you need to make the best choice for your circumstances.