Frequently Asked Questions
Are private prescriptions expensive? Not necessarily. Short term medication such as antibiotics and painkillers are often cheaper than a standard NHS prescription charge. Does Homecall Doctor provide an emergency service? Whenever possible I will arrange an appointment at your earliest convenience. However as I aim to provide a personal service, rather than use other doctors to cover for me, I may not always be able to answer an emergency call or visit at short notice. If your call is truly urgent and you cannot speak to me directly, you should call your NHS doctor or attend A/E as appropriate. In particular I cannot guarantee to be available after 8pm or at weekends. Can I be referred to hospital under the NHS? Not by a private GP except in emergency. I am able to refer you to any private hospital of your choice and can complete any relevant insurance forms. Should an NHS referral be needed I will communicate with your NHS GP, although obviously the final decision about referral will then rest with them. Do I need to stay registered with my NHS GP? Yes, I would strongly recommend you do so. I hope to provide a service that complements that of your GP rather than replaces it. I am happy to share your care with the GP, seeing you, for example, when you particularly want to discuss an issue at greater length than you may feel able to with your NHS GP. It is important that you have access to your NHS GP at short notice for serious emergencies if I am unavailable. What about confidentiality? All consultations are completely confidential. I will not divulge any information to any health professional, employer or relative without your permission. I would prefer to inform your NHS GP, especially if I prescribe medication, but the decision whether to do so rests with you. The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act. Can I get advice over the phone? Yes, provided that I have previously visited you and have a record of your personal medical history and current medication. If we decide that a visit is necessary I will wave the telephone consultation fee. I don't really need a home call, can I visit you? I have consulting rooms where you can be seen by appointment from 7am until 8pm. (9am-12 noon on Saturdays) This may be especially convenient if you are a commuter as this is within 1/2 mile of the station. It may also be more appropriate when specialist equipment is required (for example to have a cervical smear taken). Homecall Doctor is happy to visit you in your home in Haslemere for any condition whether or not it is medically essential to do so. It is your choice whether you would like to be visited at home or to be seen at Warrenden. Is Homecall Doctor expensive? We hope that many will consider the fees reasonable for the quality and flexibility of service provided. Please follow the menu links to the fees pages. Do you do children's immunisations? I do not usually provide vaccinations to babies and young children. These are available at no cost under the NHS and it is extremely important that the child's National Health Service records are complete and accurate. I am delighted to provide completely impartial advice and to discuss any worries about immunisations. |
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