The short answer is YES.
Seeing a private GP, either on a one off or regular basis, does not end your registration with your NHS GP practice. We would encourage people to remain registered with their NHS GP and you can continue to use them in the normal way.
What are the benefits of seeing a private GP?
The benefits can be summarised as:
- You can book a face to face appointment directly with a GP very easily. Either booking online, or by calling us on 01284 245665. If you call us you will get to speak to a human directly and possibly Dr Anglim directly.
- You can see your private GP at convenient times, including early appointments, late appointments and appointments on weekends.
- You will get to see the same GP every time.
- Your private GP can organise tests and provide treatments which might be restricted on the NHS.
The main downside is without NHS funding you will need to pay for your private GP appointment as well as any tests or treatments recommended by your private GP.
Will my NHS GP be annoyed at me seeing another GP?
I very much doubt it. NHS GPs are faced with an increasing demand for their appointments and someone seeking assistance elsewhere will not upset them. Many patients will choose to see their NHS GP for their ongoing care, including their routine repeat prescriptions, but choose to see a private GP when there is a new problem which perhaps needs attention earlier. For example they will see their NHS GP and their team to look after their asthma and diabetes. But when they have a chest infection or new worrying mole, and they want to be able to see a GP face to face on that day, they may choose to book in with their private GP.
Can I use the private GP for all of my care?
Yes and our membership plans make that process really easy with unlimited access to appointments for a monthly fee. Nevertheless we would recommend you keep your registration open with your NHS GP as that sometimes makes it easier for other parts of the NHS.
Can a private GP make NHS referrals?
Many of the processes in place for NHS referrals mean making an NHS referral from a private GP more complicated and difficult. We would imagine most referrals from a private GP would go to a private sector specialist. There may be exceptions for cancer type referrals or some other special instances. Private hospitals rarely provide an emergency service, so if it was felt an emergency hospital admission was required, your private GP can organise that through an NHS hospital.
Will my NHS GP continue the treatment started by a private GP?
This is a little more complicated to answer. If we provide a plan for a patient at Anglim Private Health, we would expect patients to complete that plan using our services and not rely on their NHS GP to follow up or carry out a plan we have created. Our plans can involve tests or treatments which might not automatically be available on the NHS, in which case your NHS GP would not be able to follow those plans. If your private GP has started a course of treatment which would be seen as routine within the NHS, your NHS GP may choose to take over that treatment if you no longer wish to access it in the private sector. But they would only do so if they agreed it was the best course of action and cannot be compelled to follow the same treatment plan set out by another GP.
In summary at Anglim Private Health we would welcome patients who want to see us on a one-off basis, those who want to see us alongside their NHS GP and those who want to use us as their main GP service. NHS and private GP services can work well together. You do not need to unregister with your existing NHS GP to use our service.
If you would like to use our service you can:
- Call us directly on 01284 245665
- Book an appointment on our website
- Or message us via our website or Facebook.