23/10/2025
⚕️ Things to Consider Before Accessing Treatment Through a Private Healthcare Provider
We would encourage patients who are considering accessing treatment through a private healthcare provider to first discuss any potential private treatments with one of the GPs. The private healthcare provider may recommend or prescribe you medication, however, the practice is not obligated to follow recommendations from private healthcare providers or to take over prescriptions that have been started by a private healthcare provider.
Patients who have opted to fund access to treatment through a private healthcare provider, for a treatment or service that they would not have been eligible for within the NHS, will be expected to fund the associated prescription costs in the same way. An initial discussion with one of the GPs will help to clarify whether the treatment you are planning to access through a private healthcare provider is suitable for transfer back to the NHS if this is what you choose to do.
💊 Will my GP prescribe medication started by my Private Healthcare Provider?
If you decide to transfer your care from a private healthcare provider back to the NHS, there are certain criteria that need to be met to allow your GP to safely assume responsibility for any ongoing prescriptions. An NHS prescription will only be given if the GP determines that:
• There is a clinical need for the medication
• The clinical diagnosis is clear and that they have assurance about the diagnosis
• To prescribe the medication would be within their competency
• The medication would usually be initiated by the NHS within a Primary Care setting
If your GP feels that any of the above criteria are not fulfilled, they reserve the right to refuse to assume prescribing responsibilities for the medication until such a time that the above criteria are fulfilled. In addition, your GP may choose to substitute the recommended medication for an appropriate alternative, as per the local Forth Valley formulary and in line with local guidance.
🧪 Specialist Medications
Within Forth Valley, certain medicines are considered to be for ‘specialist initiation’ or prescribing only. These are medications that would usually be initiated and subsequently monitored and reviewed by an NHS specialist service, for example medicines to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), some hormones, Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) etc. These treatments require appropriate follow up, review, and monitoring by clinicians experienced in their use. Therefore, in the interest of patient safety, prescribing responsibilities for these medications may not be accepted by your GP.
If you are recommended or started on a medicine of a ‘specialist’ nature, then your private healthcare provider should refer you directly to the relevant NHS specialist service. This will allow you to transfer your care back to the NHS in a safe and controlled manner, ensuring that you receive the appropriate specialist input and review that you require.
🤝 Shared Care Agreements (SCAs)
Your private healthcare provider may ask your GP practice to participate in something called a ‘Shared Care Agreement (SCA)’. SCAs are voluntary arrangements between specialist services, your GP practice, and you as the patient. These agreements set out clear roles and responsibilities for each party with regards to monitoring, prescribing, and reviewing of a certain medication.
Shared care agreements are voluntary. GPs are under no obligation to accept or participate in shared care arrangements. Furthermore, previous Scottish Government advice has been that NHS and private care should be delivered separately, and there should be clear separation in legal status, liability, and accountability between NHS and private care provision.
If your GP declines to participate in a shared care agreement with your private provider, then the prescribing and follow-up arrangements should remain with your private healthcare provider.
