What are the restrictions on seeing private patients in NHS practices?

Understanding the Restrictions

For NHS GPs interested in seeing patients privately, it's essential to understand the boundaries clearly outlined by NHS regulations. While seeing private patients can be an attractive option, compliance with these regulations is critical to maintaining professional and ethical standards.

Private consultations cannot occur during NHS working hours, nor can they be conducted in NHS facilities. This rule ensures that NHS resources are used solely for NHS patients and maintain the integrity of the National Health Service.

Essentially, your private practice must operate separately from your NHS duties. This separation is a key principle and a non-negotiable part of the NHS service guidelines.

Charging Patients: What You Need to Know

The 2015 National Health Service Regulations make it clear: a GP cannot accept any fee from their registered NHS patients for services that fall under the NHS contract, such as consultations and prescriptions. You may be able to charge for services outside the NHS contract or offer private services, but these must be distinctly separate from your NHS work.

"GP practices are private businesses and can enter into commercial contracts with other businesses and provide services privately, but only to an extent that is not prohibited by the GMS contract." - The BMA

One thing to note is that the NHS allows for charges in specific instances, like providing services to non-registered patients or offering services not available through the NHS.

Mixed Care: When Patients Cross Between NHS and Private Care

Patients have the flexibility to combine NHS and private treatments. This dual approach allows a patient to consult privately with a GP but utilise NHS diagnostic services. However, clarity is key: patients should fully understand when they are receiving private verses NHS-funded care.

As a private GP, ensuring a seamless pathway back to NHS services for tests or follow-up care is crucial. Proper record-keeping and consultation notes should be maintained for such transitions. Here, platforms like EMIS Web can be beneficial, offering comprehensive record systems that facilitate this mixed approach efficiently.

Incorporating private general practice while maintaining NHS roles requires careful navigation. By treating the two avenues distinctly, adhering to NHS regulations, and making use of supportive digital solutions, you can offer patients a broad spectrum of care while remaining compliant.