Test Requests. Private medical providers will try to reduce costs by requesting that NHS GPs carry out tests on their behalf. NHS GPs are not responsible or contractually required to carry out tests on behalf of private providers. If a private provider thinks certain tests are required then the responsibility lies with the provider to carry out the tests.
Test Interpretation. Private providers will also try to reduce costs by doing tests and then asking NHS GPs to interpret them. GPs are not responsible or contractually required to interpret these tests either and the GMC (General Medical Council) is clear that the clinician requesting a test is responsible for arranging the test and following up the results. If the private provider thinks the there are problems that would be best investigated or treated by the NHS then they should write a letter of referral or email to the practice outlining the problem, tests done to date and their concerns. Private providers that find ‘abnormal results’ and then simply ask the patient to ‘go to see their GP’ are not only failing in their duty of care but are creating extra unnecessary work for the NHS and increasing patient health anxiety. The vast majority of private ‘abnormal results’ are subsequently found to be normal in the NHS accredited labs or of no clinical significance and requiring no further investigation.
This policy is supported by the NHS Lothian Local Medical Committee (LMC) and by the GMC (see below).
“GMC Good Medical Practice
Continuity and coordination of care:
44. You must contribute to the safe transfer of patients between
healthcare providers and between health and social care providers.
This means you must:
a share all relevant information with colleagues involved in your
patients’ care within and outside the team, and when you delegate care or
refer patients to other health or social care providers.”