UK patients going private to escape referrals ‘black hole’, say GPs

Doctors warn of ‘rationing’ as latest monthly figures show no available appointments for about 400,000 cases Patients are increasingly turning to private healthcare to escape a referrals “black hole”, GPs have warned, as the NHS struggles with a shortfall of available appointments.The most recent figures show GP practices make about 400,000 referrals a month to outpatient clinics that are fully booked. Some patients will be able to choose an alternative provider, some will be booked at a later date, but many end up being bounced back to their local surgery. Continue reading...