At Three Villages Medical Practice, our first duty is to provide safe, effective, and accessible NHS care. We recognise, however, that some patients choose to use private healthcare services for part or all of their treatment. This page explains how we support patients who wish to access private providers, what we can and cannot do, and what responsibilities remain with the private provider or you,the patient.
What is a private provider?
A private provider is any consultant, hospital, clinic, or organisation that offers healthcare on a chargeable basis. This may include private hospitals, specialist consultants, or independent clinics.
Choosing a private provider
You are free to choose any private provider you wish to see. We are not allowed to recommend a specific provider, as this could be seen as unfair competition. The choice of provider is entirely yours.
Self-referral vs GP referral
In many cases, you do not need a GP referral to access private care. You may contact a private provider directly and book an appointment without going through us, your GP.
- Medical record summaries: If you wish, we can provide you with a summary printout of your medical record free of charge to give to your chosen provider. Information can also be sought from your NHS app.
- When a referral letter is needed: Some providers will not accept patients unless they have a GP referral letter.
GP referral letters
- Referral agreed with your GP: If your GP feels a referral is clinically appropriate, they will provide a referral letter at no cost.
- Switching from NHS to private care: If you were already eligible for an NHS referral but decide to be seen privately instead, we will provide the equivalent referral letter free of charge.
Insurance and forms
If your private provider or insurer requires paperwork (such as pre-treatment forms or insurance authorisations) to be completed by your GP, we can help with this. Please note, however, that completing such forms falls outside standard NHS care and will be charged according to our private fees policy.
Referral proformas
Some private providers request that GPs complete specific referral proformas. Please note:
- We will not complete these proformas on your behalf.
- Instead, we will provide a standard referral letter, which fulfils our clinical responsibility to make an appropriate referral.
- If a private provider refuses to accept you because a proforma has not been completed, you are entitled to choose another provider.
Investigations, tests and results
- We are not obliged to arrange tests or investigations that have been requested by a private provider.
- If a private provider recommends tests that fall outside normal NHS GP care, they are responsible for arranging and funding those tests directly.
- If you have investigations carried out privately, you are responsible for ensuring the results are sent to both you and your GP. Please be aware that we may not always be able to interpret specialist investigations ordered outside NHS pathways.
Prescriptions and medication
- Private providers are expected to issue any medication they recommend, especially when treatment is new, specialist, or urgent.
- We may, at our discretion, prescribe routine or commonly used medications if they fall within standard GP care. These will only be issued on a non-urgent basis and must be requested in the usual way.
- Any urgent medications or prescriptions outside the usual scope of general practice must be supplied by the private provider.
- We do not enter into shared-care arrangements with private providers (where prescribing and monitoring responsibilities are shared between the NHS and a private specialist).
Costs and responsibilities
- All costs related to private healthcare—including consultations, tests, investigations, forms, and prescriptions—are the responsibility of the patient.
- The NHS does not subsidise or reimburse any part of private treatment.
- Our role is to ensure your ongoing NHS care remains safe and that there is a clear boundary between NHS and private responsibilities.