Are NHS GPs being backed into a corner when it comes to sending patients to private providers?

• JOHN Gulliver is not alone in being channelled to private health care providers by his NHS GP, (Private life of the NHS, August 13).

A few years ago my doctor started referring me to private providers such as InHealth, suggesting that they were “quicker” and “free”.

I had to go to a lot of trouble to get myself rereferred to the excellent audiology department at the Whittington, which had plenty of spaces and could in fact see me very quickly.

This suggests that good hospital departments may be losing patients to the InHealth outfit and similar companies. In my opinion it is wrong for GPs to do these referrals.

It would be good to hear from doctors about any pressures and inducements which are being brought to bear.

It seems to me that GPs are being backed into a corner, where private providers become a default option, even though doctors and patients would prefer a properly funded direct National Health Service.

On the one occasion I did accept the GP’s referral to a private scan facility for NHS patients. I was shocked.

The machines were in the basement of a commercial office block on the south bank of the river, entirely empty.

My appointment was on a Sunday at 5pm, not exactly convenient. When I got there the staff were just sitting around waiting for the last patient (me) to arrive.

No one had come in since 2.30pm. The waste of money and human power is staggering.

I have been reminded of that episode by the recent debacles over Covid-19 testing in private hands. I’m glad you are reporting on this.

AMANDA SEBESTYEN,
NW1