The Partners at Langham Place Surgery do not enter into shared care prescribing arrangements with private healthcare providers and are therefore unable to take over prescribing of medication initiated by a private specialist.
Patients receiving treatment from a private provider will normally need to obtain ongoing prescriptions directly from their private specialist.
We fully support patients’ right to access specialist services through NHS referral pathways, including the NHS Right to Choose programme where eligible. Where it is clinically appropriate, we will continue to make referrals to providers chosen by our patients. However, referral to a specialist service does not mean that the Practice will take over prescribing responsibility for medication initiated by that provider. In line with this policy, ongoing prescribing and monitoring remain the responsibility of the specialist service that started treatment.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- ADHD assessment and treatment services
- Gender identity services
- Weight management services
- Other specialist services where medication is started and overseen outside the Practice
Where blood tests or other monitoring are requested as part of privately provided care, the practice may consider undertaking this where clinically appropriate and where capacity allows. Any results will be shared with the private provider to support their ongoing management of the patient’s treatment. The decision to arrange monitoring remains at the discretion of the practice clinician.
This approach ensures that prescribing responsibility remains with the clinician who has initiated the treatment and is responsible for the patient’s ongoing specialist care.
This policy is consistent with relevant GMC prescribing guidance, NHS England shared care principles, and local Integrated Care Board (ICB) prescribing and medicines optimisation guidance governing the interface between primary and secondary care.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding this policy.
The GP Partners
Langham Place Surgery