Blood Tests Requested by Private Healthcare Providers

Crocus Medical Practice is committed to providing safe, fair, and appropriate healthcare services. This policy explains how we manage requests for blood tests that have been requested by a private healthcare provider, whether based in the UK or overseas.

Responsibility for Private Blood Tests

If you are receiving treatment from a private healthcare provider, that provider is responsible for:

• Arranging any blood tests or investigations required as part of your private treatment.
• Providing the necessary request forms and laboratory arrangements.
• Interpreting the results.
• Discussing the results with you.
• Providing any follow-up care or treatment required.

As NHS resources are commissioned to provide NHS care, the Practice will not routinely arrange NHS-funded blood tests solely to support private treatment.

NHS Blood Tests

If a GP at Crocus Medical Practice believes that blood tests are clinically necessary for your NHS care, they may choose to request and manage those tests as part of an NHS episode of care.

Any decision to arrange NHS investigations remains at the discretion of the responsible NHS clinician.

What the Practice Will Not Routinely Do

The Practice will not routinely:

• Order NHS blood tests solely because they have been requested by a private healthcare provider.
• Interpret private test results where we are not clinically responsible for the treatment episode.
• Provide ongoing monitoring that forms part of a private treatment package.
• Accept responsibility for follow-up care that remains the responsibility of the private provider.

Receiving Your Results

Results from privately arranged blood tests should be sent directly to the clinician who requested them.

The private provider is responsible for:

• Reviewing and interpreting the results.
• Explaining the results to you.
• Arranging any necessary follow-up treatment.

If you wish to share private results with your GP, they can be added to your medical record where appropriate and may be considered as part of your ongoing NHS care.

Accessing and Sharing Your NHS Records

You can share your NHS information with a private provider by:

• Using the NHS App (where available).
• Requesting a copy of your records through a Subject Access Request.

Patient Safety

If you receive private test results that indicate a potentially serious or urgent health problem, you should seek medical advice immediately.

For urgent concerns, please contact:

• Crocus Medical Practice during opening hours.
• NHS 111 for urgent medical advice.
• Emergency services or A&E in a medical emergency.

Further Information

If you have questions about privately requested blood tests or how this policy applies to your situation, please contact the Practice and a member of our team will be happy to assist.