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SDHC Private GP Service FAQs

Discover the most commonly asked questions about our private GP service, from how to book your flexible 25 or 50-minute consultation to how we coordinate care with your existing NHS records.
Why might I need an appointment with a private GP?

Visiting a private GP can often provide you with easy access to expert medical care, with readily available appointments. It is also useful for medical concerns which can’t be squeezed into the typical 10-minute slot, allowing you to explore your issues over a longer consultation. Additionally, we offer 6 days per week access, making it easier to get an appointment.

To register as a patient is free, however, please note that any appointments booked, will require payment in advance. You will be required to complete a new patient questionnaire, which will be emailed out to you once you have spoken to our reception team. We request patients to complete this before you are seen by the GP.

You can contact us directly by phone on 01323 402790 or book an appointment online, providing even more convenience for scheduling your visit. You may be pleasantly surprised how easy it can be to make an appointment and be seen.

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This entirely depends on how many healthcare issues you wish to discuss during your consultation and what questions you would like to ask your doctor. We would suggest that you book a 25-minute appointment to discuss one to two healthcare concerns, but if you have multiple issues to discuss then we suggest that you book a 50-minute appointment.

We maintain strict security protocols in relation to storing your personal information and any medical notes. This is done using a highly secure electronic health record system, within UK data centres. With your consent, this information can also be shared with your NHS GP to seamlessly integrate into their records.

SDHC aims to provide you with a private GP service to suit your needs at any time. Having a private GP appointment does not result in any changes to the care you receive from your NHS GP, and we recommend that you remain registered with your NHS practice. It is important to remain registered and engaged for the purposes of chronic health monitoring, screening, and repeat prescribing to ensure thorough and continuous healthcare.

Your NHS records are securely protected and cannot be accessed by anyone outside of the NHS without your consent. Some practices grant SDHC access to their NHS patient records if patients also consent at the time of access. Similarly, our private medical records are kept confidential and cannot be accessed by NHS services, unless if you have given consent for this to be shared or in exceptional circumstances when your health or wellbeing is at risk.

If you anticipate being late, please contact us at 01323 402790 promptly to make necessary arrangements. Arriving more than 10 minutes late without prior agreement, which disrupts our schedule, will be treated as a missed appointment. Missed appointments are non-refundable. Whether the GP can accommodate a late arrival is at their discretion.

To reschedule or cancel your appointment you must notify us at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment to avoid being charged the full cost of your consultation. Cancellations made any time up to 24 hours before the consultation will incur a £10 cancellation fee. For more details visit our terms and conditions page.

No. You do not need to have a private health insurance to consult with one of our private GPs. Our appointment payment system requires patients to pay for their appointment in advance, before being seen. This allows you to schedule appointments that are convenient and accessible for your personalised healthcare needs.
If you have a private healthcare policy, you should check your cover under that policy first. Please note, if you book and pay for any of our private services, you will be not be able to submit a refund claim to your private healthcare provider unless you have their pre-authorisation however we are not currently affiliated with any private healthcare insurers. You will therefore be solely responsible for fees incurred.

Yes, absolutely. A referral is not required if you need to see one of our Private GPs. All you need to do is call/email us and book yourself an appointment. Our reception team will be able to guide you on what to do next.

We do not offer a walk-in service for private GP appointments. To see a GP, all patients are required to book an appointment in advance. We aim but can’t guarantee an appointment on the same day you book.
No. Due to NHS regulations, GPs from your practice are not allowed to charge you for consultations.
The Galleri test is a new blood test that looks for early signs of over 50 types of cancer from a single blood sample. It is being studied by the NHS and GRAIL to see if it can help detect cancers earlier and improve outcomes. At present, the test is only available through NHS approved research trials and is not yet offered privately or as part of routine NHS care in the UK. We are closely monitoring the results of these studies, expected in 2026, and will update patients if the test becomes available for private use in the future. In the meantime, please continue to attend all standard NHS cancer screenings and speak to your service provider about any new or persistent symptoms.

Prescriptions

You are entitled to access NHS services at any time, including returning to your NHS GP. You may choose to use our private GP services alongside NHS care; however, private consultations and NHS treatment pathways operate separately. This means that any ongoing care, including prescriptions under the NHS, will need to be arranged through your NHS GP, and you may be required to book an appointment and follow their usual processes. Private GP consultations cannot be used to obtain NHS prescriptions. With your consent, we will share relevant information with your NHS GP following your consultation to support continuity of care.

The price of private prescription medicine varies depending on the type of medicine that you have been privately prescribed. You may find that the cost of a private prescription may sometimes be less than NHS prescriptions. However, this may not be so for all private prescriptions. Doctors are encouraged to prescribe ‘generically’ to ensure that the most cost-effective version of the medication is prescribed. For some medications, branded prescriptions are required (e.g. insulin) to ensure that the right device/strength is dispensed – this is important for safe prescribing. Ask your doctor if a generic medication is available and suitable for you.

The traditional method of private prescription services involves issuing a paper prescription during a face-to-face appointment. However, if required, we can issue your prescription electronically directly to a pharmacy of your choice using a secure electronic system similar to that used for NHS prescriptions.

Our clinicians can prescribe many medications where clinically appropriate. However, Controlled Drugs are not prescribed through the SDHC Private GP Service.

Controlled Drugs are medicines that are subject to additional legal controls because they have a higher potential for misuse or dependence. Examples include some strong painkillers, ADHD medications, some sleeping tablets and anti-anxiety medications.

Yes. Our clinicians can discuss your condition, provide advice and support, and recommend appropriate next steps. However, they will not issue a Controlled Drug prescription.
Please contact your NHS GP, specialist prescriber or the healthcare professional who normally manages your medication.
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