There are a number of reasons why people might choose to access a Private GP. Common reasons include wanting an appointment sooner or at a time that suits them best. For others its the desire to see the same person at each consultation who knows them and their history. For some its the extra time they can spend with a doctor to discuss their problems. What ever the reason patients have similar questions about the service.
 

Who will I see?

After being greeted by our friendly reception staff,  you will meet Dr Andrew Black. Andrew will escort you to one of our comfortable consultation rooms where you will have your appointment. If as part of this you require any investigations these will be carried out by Dr Black himself or one of the highly trained Nuffield Hospital team.
 

Do I still need an NHS GP?

Yes, you will still need to be registered with an NHS GP, as The Practice Herefordshire doesn't provide out of hours care or a weekend service.

How long will my Consultation last?

Standard appointments are 30 minutes long, follow-up appointments can be either 20 or 30 minutes, depending on complexity and patient choice.

Can I bring more than one problem?

Absolutely, this is your appointment. You can bring one problem or a whole list. Dr Black will work with you to address as many issues as possible in the 30 minutes you have together.

Do you have access to my Medical Records?

Currently unfortunately we are unable to access the records held by your GP or NHS Hospital. We are able to access blood tests that have been processed at Hereford NHS hospital. It is helpful if patients have a summary of their medical records or the NHS App, but this is not essential.

What if I need tests?

Being based at the Nuffield Hospital means that you have easy and quick access to a whole range of tests should they be required. This includes a full range of radiological investigations ( x-rays and scans) often on the same day, blood tests, ECG and other investigations. The costs of these are billed additionally to your consultation fee. Unfortunately at this time it isn't possible for us to arrange these to be done on the NHS, however we will liaise with your NHS GP or hospital specialist to see if they are willing to arrange any tests. Most people however choose to have their tests done privately due to the convenience offered by the Nuffield hospital.

What if I need a Prescription?

If you require a Prescription then you will be given a private prescription as part of your consultation, this can be taken to any chemist. The cost of a private prescription for many medications is similar to an NHS prescription and in some cases can be cheaper. There are some medications that significantly more expensive. It is possible to ask your NHS GP to prescribe any medication that we recommend, but there is no guarantee that they will agree to this. Should you require ongoing medication this can be arranged privately or again a request to your NHS GP to continue issuing the medication.

What if I need to see a Specialist?

Should you need a referral to a specialist for further care, this can be arranged either on the NHS or Privately. Most people choose to see one of our highly experienced Doctors at the Nuffield for the same reasons as they have chosen to see a Private GP.

What happens after my appointment?

Following your appointment, you will receive a copy of the clinic note produced by Dr Black, with advice and guidance tailored specifically to you and your problem. A copy of this is kept in your secure medical records at the Nuffield Hospital. 

Will my NHS GP know about my consultation?

We understand that in some circumstances you are coming to see us as you don't want your NHS GP to know you are seeking advice. Our general policy is that we notify your NHS GP about your consultation, this is always the case if there are particular issue that your GP needs to know about, this includes the prescription of certain medications. However in other cases it is your choice as to whether we communicate with your NHS GP.

Do you offer telephone Consultations?

Here at the Practice Herefordshire we believe in the personal touch, as such whilst telephone consultations may have a role in some situations, we feel face to face consultations provide a far better experience. As such we currently don't offer Telephone or video consultation options.

Do you offer Home visits?

At this moment in time this is not a service we offer, however if this is a service that you require, the please contact us through  enquiries@thepracticeherefordshire.co.uk and we will see if there is a way we can help.

What does it cost?

Current consultation fees can be obtained by contacting the Nuffield Hospital via the contact us details.