Our Practice
Functioning of this new Practice
Not Covered by this Practice
Professional Fees
Current Domiciliary Visiting Area
In the Twentieth Century, with the advent of scientific medicine, and the structuring of the Health Service, the General Practitioner assumed a central role as medical advisor, and councilor and confidant to the family. He or she was the first port of call in the event of illness or trouble and it was the GP who referred on to specialists, usually Hospital based who would provide more specific diagnoses and treatments for rarer and more serious conditions. There are many types of medical specialist but they fall generally into two main groups: Physicians and Surgeons. The latter are further subdivided according to their area of specialty such as Orthopedics (bones and joints) ENT (ear nose and throat) Abdominal (upper GI, hepato-biliary and colo-rectal) and so on and on. Surgeons tend to treat with operations. Just to confuse the public (!) and for many more substantial historical reasons, the trained surgeon, throws away the hard earned title “Dr” and resumes the title of “Mr”.
The Physician is trained in the accurate diagnosis of disease and tends to refer his patients on to a surgeon if operative treatment is indicated. Much more commonly however the physician is in the position of self-confidence and authority, through knowledge and able to convince and reassure both his patient and the referring GP that the “illness” will be self limiting and that no more that symptomatic remedies are required. Often the Physician may be advising more active treatment such as specific medications like antibiotics. The General Physician is a teacher and an educator for his patients. So much of human disease is complicated by fear of the unknown. Often this fear factor is much worse than the likely reality of the situation.
Many important men and women in history have tended to have the services of their own Personal Physician and for many this might replace the fortune teller of the past. Living healthily with realistic understanding of our own and human limitations is a truly positive development in human existence. The experienced Physician delights in preserving the social and professional duties of his patients in the face of and despite otherwise debilitating disease.
Sadly the role and status of the General Practitioner has been eroded over the last 60 years and particularly in the last ten years. It might be argued that this has been in inverse measure to the doctors’ perception of his own self importance. She/he is no longer prepared to be seen in the light of family servant! The rise of the group practice has limited the constant unchanging one to one relationship between the doctor and his patient. European working time directives and the social pressures urging doctors and others to modify work/life balance means that there are fewer and fewer doctors prepared to be available around the clock. This is to the serious detriment of the doctor/patient relationship, and also reduces the professional pride and job satisfaction achieve in a bygone age. To put into modern parlance the doctor should be prepared to be available at times of crisis 7/24.
Functioning of this new Practice
On showing interest by responding to the practice web-site, or replying to this introductory literature you will be offered a home visit from one of our experienced lay health care advisors. They will be in a position to give you independent free advice on the benefits that you might gain from this service. This new service might be totally inappropriate for you and your family if you already have a supportive GP already providing most of the above services. Our health care advisor will also be in a position to explain the benefits of having direct access to a senior physician who is in a professional position to assess the relative importance and significance of more than one medical condition. Our approach is particularly helpful to people with two or more conditions requiring prioritisation.
If you then decide that you would like to explore our service more fully you will be offered an assessment consultation with the named Senior Physician who would be assigned to your care. This consultation would be by appointment either at our Harley Street consulting rooms, or in your own home at your request. This part of the process is essential. Choosing a Physician should be an extremely personal matter. It is vital for success that you feel you can relate to and trust your future medical advisor.
Following this assessment consultation you would receive a written report and an invitation to join the Practice. Following payment of an annual stipend you and your family would then enjoy the professional benefits listed above. Back to top
Not Covered by this Practice
- There is no cover provided for investigations, blood tests, or x-rays or scans. Medical insurance or dependence on the NHS is required for this
- No inpatient charges or consultation fees as an inpatient are covered.
- Proscribed drugs will be dispensed are delivered by special courier as a 24/7 service but this will be charged by the practice to you according at prevailing tariffs. Drugs are NOT reimbursed by the leading health care insurers.
- Ambulance charges are not covered by this scheme.
- Any service not specifically promised in the practice agreement is not covered.
- In the event of your personal Physician not been available for whatever reason all attempts will be made to find a locum tenens, who will have access to your medical files in order to provide continuity of service. Back to top
Professional Fees.
The concept of a medical service free at the point of delivery is enshrined in the National Health Service and is one of the loftiest political initiatives known to civilised man. The concept of escalation charges induced by a period of ill health does not sit happily with the philosophy of this practice.
No charge is therefore made for initial introduction to the service and the cost of initial suitability assessments is therefore absorbed by the practice. A trusting and mutually respectful relationship between patient and Physician is central to the care that we offer.
The initial Clinical Consultation with your Physician will be charged at £ 200
This fee for service will be reimbursed to the cost of your first annual stipend payable to the practice in the event that you decide to enrol.
The annual stipend payable to the practice to cover self and nominated family will be settled according to ability to pay (another concept enshrined in the provision of ethical medical care). The annual stipend payable before enrolment will be in the region of £1000 to £5000 sterling. Back to top
