Purpose

This policy outlines the approach of Ballysillan Group Practice in relation to providing post-treatment support for patients who choose to procure private healthcare services, in line with guidance from the Department of Health and relevant regulatory bodies.

General Principles

1. Clinical Autonomy and Responsibility
GPs are independent contractors and retain full clinical autonomy. Decisions regarding patient care, including post-treatment support following private healthcare, must be made using professional clinical judgment.

2. No Obligation to Provide Support
There is no contractual obligation under GMS for GPs to provide post-treatment support for care that has been procured privately. Patients should be made aware of this when discussing private treatment plans.

3. Patient Responsibility
Patients opting for private healthcare are responsible for ensuring that their package includes all necessary pre- and post-treatment support. This includes arrangements for follow-up care, investigations, and prescriptions.

4. Clinical Appropriateness
GPs may choose to provide post-treatment support when:
- It is clinically appropriate and in the patient’s best interest.
- It falls within the GP’s level of competence and clinical remit.
- It does not breach the GMS contract or indemnity cover.
- It aligns with GMC guidance, particularly in relation to Good Medical Practice and prescribing.

5. Prescribing After Private Consultations
- GPs are under no obligation to issue HSC prescriptions based on private practitioner recommendations.
- If a GP deems the prescription clinically appropriate, supported by the Northern Ireland Formulary and national guidance, and shared care arrangements (if needed) are in place, they may issue an HSC prescription.
- By signing such a prescription, the GP assumes full clinical responsibility.

6. Communication with Patients
- Patients should be advised:
  - To ensure their private treatment package covers all follow-up care.
  - That they may need to pay privately for any further treatment or medications recommended but not provided by the private provider.

7. Shared Care Arrangements
Where ongoing treatment requires shared care between HSC and a private provider, appropriate agreements must be in place, and the GP must be satisfied with the proposed arrangements before accepting responsibility.

Treatment abroad

What if you go abroad to seek private treatment or surgical procedures (such as obesity surgery)? The Department of Health policy in relation to individuals availing of private healthcare outside of Northern Ireland states that the individual must ensure that all pre and post treatment costs are included in the overall package of care procured from the private healthcare provider. In any such instances, an individual will not be entitled to pre or post treatment support from primary or secondary care services in Northern Ireland. In line with normal practice, patients will be able to access emergency care where necessary

Emergency Care

Patients who have procured private treatment remain entitled to emergency care via the HSC system as normal.