Private Weight Loss Prescribing

Posted on June 18th, 2025

Understanding Our Practice’s Policy

Our practice has been receiving requests from private providers to review patient notes to ensure it is safe for them to prescribe weight loss medications including, but not limited to Wegovy, Saxenda or Mounjaro. Here’s what you need to know:

Responsibility for Prescribing

• The clinical responsibility for prescribing is with the private 3rd party provider
• When a private provider asks us to review your notes, it implies that our practice would take responsibility for prescriptions initiated by other organisations.
• General Practice is under extreme pressure and cannot take on unfunded, non-contractual work for Non-NHS providers

Regulations and Safety

• According to GMC regulations, it is the responsibility of the prescribing clinician to ensure their prescribing is safe. This includes:
  • Taking an adequate history.
  • Examining the patient.
  • Conducting and acting on any appropriate pre-prescribing investigations.
• NICE guidelines require an examination of the patient, including accurate weight measurement at initial assessment and regular reviews.
• Some weight loss injections can reduce the effectiveness of certain types of HRT and contraception. Please let your private provider know if you are taking these medications

Private Providers’ Responsibilities

• Private providers should not expect NHS GPs to perform private work on their behalf.
• They must not assume that a non-response from us means there are no contraindications to prescribing the medication.

Access to Medical Records

• Patients can arrange for private providers to have full access to their NHS records via the NHS app.

Our Policy

• We direct third-party private prescribers back to their patients.
• We direct patients to share their medical record via the NHS App
• We cannot take responsibility or get involved in third-party prescribing, which remains the clinical responsibility of the prescribing clinician.

What You Should Do

Private Providers: Please contact your patient directly to resolve any queries about their medical history.

Patients: Ensure your private provider has access to your NHS records through the NHS app.

Additional Information :  If you have any further questions or need assistance with accessing your NHS records, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can I give my private provider access to my NHS records?

A: You can do this through the NHS app. Here’s a link to the NHS app guide. If you have limited visibility, please contact the practice either by phone or in person.

Q: What should I do if my private provider insists on the practice reviewing my notes?

A: Inform them of our policy and direct them to contact you directly for any necessary information.

Patient Support:  Your care and safety are our top priorities. These policies are in place to ensure that all treatments are safe and effective.

Resources

For more information, you can refer to the GMC regulations and NICE guidelines.