News

Crisis Text Line is now in the UK as Shout! Text 85258 to be connected with a trained Crisis Volunteer.

Visit their website at: https://www.crisistextline.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3v7m5an_YgC3dBlkEVGy4oxiq-8Ng_ginvn9ErEik8fdIXCqOU0kuxlK8

Dear All,

As 4% of patients are not attending their appointments each month, we have made further improvements by re-recording our main telephone greeting and including a new auto attendant which enables patients to leave a voice message. Please note that these voice messages are only for appointment cancellations, and any other messages will not be dealt with and will be deleted.

The options are as follows:-

• Press 1 to cancel your appointment
• Press 2 to speak to a Patient Services Advisor

A reminder that you can also cancel an appointment by emailing [email protected]

Policy regarding requests from private providers to take blood tests

Swallownest Health Centre follows the following guidance regarding requests for blood tests to be done by a private provider:

If a patient has chosen to pay for private healthcare because

1. their treatment is not available on the NHS or
2. they do not wish to be treated on the NHS

they are responsible for paying for all costs, including tests, and the private provider is responsible for managing every aspect of their healthcare (unless the patient chooses to transfer back to the NHS at a later date to continue treatment).

For that reason, private providers should not be asking GPs to arrange any tests that they deem necessary, and intend to use, to make a diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment with.

It is the private provider’s responsibility to arrange tests for patients whose care they are managing, and the patient’s responsibility to pay for them.

Policy regarding requests from private providers to start or take over prescribing medication

In addition to the above policy, the practice cannot prescribe on behalf of private providers nor continue to supply prescriptions which have previously been supplied by the private provider. We are not permitted to have shared care protocols with private providers.

Private consultants wishing to transfer patients to NHS care should directly refer their patient to the appropriate NHS service who will reassess and, if appropriate, take over your treatment. At the point that your care has been taken over by an NHS service, a request may be made by the NHS service to share prescribing responsibility with the practice. Our practice pharmacists review and manage all such requests.

Screening tests carried out by private providers which have not been approved by the UK National Screening Committee

The practice supports the national guidance.

If you choose to have private screening tests or investigations that are not available or recommended by the NHS, you should ensure that you have the funds or insurance in place to cover the costs of any additional treatment or investigation that is incurred as the NHS may not cover these.