News & Insights
Practical insights from private GPs, checked and kept up to date, plus dated posts from our archive. New writing goes out first in The Beat.
Tips posts
- Tips
How should private GPs send prescriptions to patients?
Private GPs cannot use the NHS Electronic Prescription Service. For patients who are not in the room, a private electronic prescribing service is usually the quickest safe option. Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs still need a paper FP10PCD in England.
- Tips
How do private GPs store their consultation notes?
Most private GPs keep their notes in a cloud-hosted electronic record. Paper is allowed, but whatever you use must be secure, accurate, complete and contemporaneous, with a written retention policy and a way to export records if you change system.
- Tips
Does private medical insurance (PMI) cover private GPs' fees?
Usually not. Most UK private GP consultations are self-funded, and PMI policies tend to include the insurer's own remote GP service rather than paying an independent GP. A few policies reimburse the patient for private GP visits up to a yearly limit, and some international insurers pay directly against a guarantee of payment.
- Tips
Three tips for optimising private practice billing
Take payment when the patient books, explain and collect any extra charges before they leave, and ask insured patients to pay and claim back unless their insurer has given a guarantee of payment.
- Tips
Three tips for gathering and actioning patient feedback
Use a short online survey, send it the day after the appointment and show patients what you changed as a result. It improves your service and gives you the evidence your appraisal and the CQC both expect.
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