1.2 Your NHS Responsibilities and Your Private Practice

It is essential to never promote your private practice within NHS settings

While some patients may naturally search for you after a consultation to explore private options, this must be entirely patient-led. Any private information should only be accessible through neutral online resources, rather than being suggested or provided during NHS care.

With long NHS waiting lists and rising patient demand, providing accessible online information about treatments and your services helps patients make informed decisions after the fact, without compromising your NHS responsibilities.

Key considerations for compliant private practice growth

Create clear, trusted resources
Patients who are aware of their options are more likely to consider private care. Rather than promoting private treatment, focus on providing neutral, accessible online resources so patients can make informed choices. Never provide private resources during NHS consultations.

Maintain professional boundaries
Ensure private information is only shared when asked and never as a suggestion during NHS care. Transparency and patient-led decision-making are crucial.

Practical ways for managing NHS responsibilities and private practice

Keep NHS and private work separate

• Never promote private care in NHS settings; only provide neutral information when asked
• Use a separate website or clinic profile to provide private care information
• Ensure your medical secretary is trained to respond appropriately to enquiries outside of NHS settings

Provide clear, neutral online presence to support patient search queries

• Add neutral resources like procedure overviews, patient FAQs, testimonials and general cost information to your website
• Make booking options easy to find and clearly explain self-funding pathways without promoting private care
• Regularly update your profiles with accurate information about your qualifications, clinic locations, and availability
• Ensure everything is aligned with GMC and NHS guidance
  
  

Collaborate appropriately with hospitals and PPUs

• Engage with Private Patient Units (PPUs) where available to support compliant referral pathways
• Ask hospital teams about opportunities to list your services for patients exploring private care

Many Medbelle consultants work within the NHS alongside maintaining a compliant private practice

We support this by building compliant digital content, managing online booking tools and advising on communication best practices. From profile creation to collaboration with hospital PPUs, we help ensure your practice grows professionally and sustainably, with your NHS responsibilities always in mind.