Our FAQs
ESSEX-BASED PRIVATE PRIMARY CARE CLINIC
How do I register with EssexPrivateGP?
When you contact us to book an appointment, you will be asked for registration details such as your name, date of birth, home address, contact numbers and email. This is to ensure that we have the essential information for the GP Admin Team to contact you and this information will be made available to your Private GP during your consultation. It is free to register.
You will need to fill in a new patient information form which will be emailed to you to complete prior to your appointment, even if you book on the day.
If you do not have access to an email, you can complete one at reception on arrival.
How will seeing a Private GP affect my NHS GP?
Consulting with EssexPrivateGP will not affect your relationship with your registered NHS GP. You can access our services and still remain with your NHS GP (we strongly encourage you to register or remain registered with your NHS GP whilst using our services). We can share necessary information with your NHS GP, but be assured, we always ask for your consent before sharing any information with your NHS surgery. Confidentiality is very important to us and we comply with data protection legislation and the medical confidentiality guidelines of our professional body (General Medical Council). We advise all new patients to provide details of their NHS GP at the time of booking their appointment with our GP Admin Team.
Why do we ask you to bring your NHS GP summary when you have a Private GP consultation?
As your Private GP does not have access to your NHS GP records, having a summary care record from your NHS GP, during a new patient consultation, could help your Private GP provide you with a safer and higher standard of care.
Why is it important for you to keep your NHS GP informed?
Private healthcare and the NHS are not connected, so your NHS GP may have to be informed that you have received private care. Unless you share information with your NHS GP there may be gaps in their understanding of your health. It is therefore important that you keep your NHS GP updated.
Your Private GP will seek your consent to contact your NHS GP if there is a significant change to your health, a new major diagnosis, a new long term medication is prescribed or any change to your ongoing medication.
How long is an appointment?
Standard GP appointment is up to 30 minutes.
Longer appointments can be arranged on request, or a double appointment can be booked.
We try to give plenty of time to discuss symptoms and concerns without our patients feeling rushed.
However, some conditions can take longer than others, so if a condition for discussion is complex or there is more than one problem to address, the recommendation is to book an extended consultation.
If you are not sure how long you need, please feel free to discuss with our booking team.
New patients to the service will need to have details of their previous medical history, current medication, relevant lifestyle and family history.
What is your cancellation policy?
Any appointments cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment time will not be refunded. A new appointment will need to be made and paid for if you still need a consultation. If you would like to cancel your appointment, this can be done with up to 24 hours notice, please note a £5 administration fee will be deducted from a refund in the event of this cancellation. Any appointment missed will not be refunded.
What out-of-hours access do you offer?
If you have a query which is not urgent then please contact the surgery between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 1pm on the usual surgery numbers.
We do offer an Out of Hours Service. For more information, please click here.
If you need urgent medical attention when we are closed, please contact NHS 111, or call 999, or attend the local Accident and Emergency.
Please call the NHS 111 service if you need urgent medical help or advice but do not think it is a life-threatening situation.
For example:
- If you need medical attention fast but not an emergency to warrant calling 999.
- If you are not a sure whether you need to go to A&E or whether another NHS urgent care service is available.
- If you have need of advice regarding health information or reassurance about what to do next.
- Immediate, life-threatening emergencies, please call 999.
How can feedback such as complaints and compliments be given?
We welcome feedback from our patients, as this can be used to help us give our patients a high standard of care and improve our services where appropriate.
Please speak to our GP Adminstrator either via telephone, email or in writing who will try to resolve any issues you may have.
If you have any concerns or a complaint about our service, please let us know.
If you have an appointment at the clinic and have any comments, compliments or complaints you can enquire at the reception.
Any complaints received will be taken very seriously, and the practice will endeavour to work with our patients to understand how the complaints arose, how we can use the experience to improve our services and avoid any issues raised from occurring again.
We will formally acknowledge your complaint within three working days of receipt which will normally be in writing but can be given verbally if appropriate.
If you would rather complain through an external channel then please contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 03000 616161 or the Local Government Ombudsman 03000 610614.
What special equipment is required for a video consultation?
There is no special technology required for a video consultation. The consultation is carried out via our clinical system – an SMS text message, or email will be sent to a device of choice at the time of booking.
To join the consultation at the time booked, just click on the link sent.
The telephone number and email address to be used for the video consultation can be provided by the patient or person booking when arranging the appointment.
Is there an Emergency Walk In Service at the clinic?
We do not offer this service at the clinic, please call the practice in advance to book an appointment or use our online booking system.
Same day appointments are available most days.
For any medical emergencies required, please call NHS 111, or 999 if immediate and life threatening or visit the local Accident and Emergency.
Do you offer private prescriptions?
All prescriptions issued are private.
No fee is charged when a prescription is done during a consultation.
Private prescriptions can be taken to any pharmacy, there will be a cost for the medication plus any additional dispensing fee from the pharmacy.
A private prescription can also be emailed or posted to a local pharmacy of choice or patient’s home address. We also use a convenient platform called CLYNXX where you will be sent a token via text and email to take to your local pharmacy to collect your prescription.
Do you offer repeat prescriptions?
Repeat prescriptions can be provided; will be done as soon as possible but please allow up to 72 hours.
For medication which our GPs have initiated, please contact the practice number or submit the request via email, giving clear indication of the medication required, the dose and the amount needed.
For medication initiated by any other clinicians, written documentation of the medication will be required as well as a consultation with one of our GPs.