Although it’s not mandatory to have a referral from your GP or a specialist, the British Medical Association (BMA) recommends a referral as your clinician will understand your medical history and advise whether or not a referral is necessary.

If you’re still receiving NHS care and decide to move your treatment to a private hospital, your treatment will be carried out by the same team. Your NHS care will continue to be free of charge, but the NHS won’t pay for or subsidise your private treatment.

No, your NHS GP is under no obligation to share your medical records with a private hospital. Likewise, if you visit a private hospital for an appointment or treatment, your Consultant won’t share your medical records with your NHS GP without your consent.

The two main ways to access private healthcare are:

Paying for yourself: if you need help now with a health concern and don’t want to wait, paying for your own treatment in hospital is a smart way to get back on the road to recovery, fast.

Using your private health insurance: if you have private medical insurance, you can access treatment with authorisation from your insurer.

If your hospital visit is being funded by an insurance company, payment will be made directly by your insurer in line with agreements we hold with them. Not all insurance plans cover the same things, so it's important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.