Due to long waiting times for investigations, specialist appointments and operations within the NHS, some people are deciding to attend private hospitals and clinics, locally and abroad. If you are thinking about using a private health provider, either by self-funding or private health insurance, we strongly advise you to consult one of our doctors beforehand to discuss things such as your expectation of treatment and follow up. Your GP will not usually recommend a specific specialist. You are advised to do some research when deciding whether a healthcare provider is safe and suitable, and that they will provide a full package of care to you.
Please be aware that the practice is contracted to provide health services, in line with our General Medical Services contract, on behalf of NHS Lanarkshire and is not under any obligation to follow any requests from private health providers.
What happens when you are referred by your GP to see a Consultant/Specialist/Clinician Privately?
This leaflet describes what you can expect to happen if you ask your GP to refer you to see a Specialist privately. This might be a Consultant Doctor, Surgeon, Private GP, Specialist Nurse, or Allied Health professional such as a Physiotherapist. This leaflet uses the terms Clinician and Specialist interchangeably to denote a person or team you are seeing privately.