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- PRIVATE GP SERVICES -
Doctor in the
HOUSE
Spire Leicester Hospital is now providing more accessible healthcare than ever, thanks to a Stamford based private GP service. Dr Nigel Hume explains more about the service, aimed at reducing waiting times for appointments and providing more time for patients with the doctor... Spire Hospital Leicester has always provided exceptional private healthcare from its Oadby based 54-bedroom hospital. Now though, the company is ensuring GP services are more accessible than ever with the provision of a private GP service from a new outreach clinic on Stamford’s Broad Street. “I’ve been a GP in the area from 1990 and noticed that with NHS changes it can be more difficult for patients to get an appointment with the same GP and I’ve noticed that patients really value the continuity of care.” “Also, though, more than ever I think patients appreciate having more time with their GP. I feel that the standard 10-minute consultation is just not enough.”
in the evening because people do live busy lives and more flexibility is really appreciated.” Another real benefit is the ability for Nigel to be able to act as an outreach clinic for Spire Hospital Leicester, and refer patients there, for any necessary, diagnostic procedures such as CT or MRI scans using the hospital’s dedicated imaging suite. “The NHS is working well for lots of acute things and semi-investigated conditions, but we also have a community which has a need for
“Patients appreciate having more time with their GP, which our private service enables...”
“That’s why I was keen to see a private GP service established in the town. An initial consultation lasts an hour, with follow-up appointments given 40 minutes as well.”
rapid access to diagnostic services. MRI scans, for instance for knee pain or back pain. An NHS patient may experience a delay in those cases.”
“That allows me to get to grips with a complex problem or with multiple problems. As communities are getting older, the thing we commonly see is patients waiting to see a GP and developing new symptoms. I’ve also started to see patients on a Saturday and late
Spire Hospital Leicester offers a whole range of specialisms from orthopaedics to general surgery, ophthalmology to gynaecology and general medicine. The hospital has two wards, four operating theatres and a dedicated chemotherapy suite.
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“We offer rapid access to over 300 consultants backed up by expert nursing and the ability to treat insured, self-funding and NHS Choose & Book patients.” “You can engage a private GP on an appointment-by-appointment basis. Spire has a really good private GP appointment system that informs me electronically if I have patients booked into my clinic. You don’t have to leave your current GP. In many cases GPs are actually glad that someone has been able to spend more time discussing a patient’s issues.” “Communication is only shared with your GP with your agreement, and if patients have a depression or anxiety issue, for example, a longer consultation and better communication can be really useful.” “Our Broad Street clinic is already proving really useful for providing not just a private GP service but as a satellite clinic for other Spire Consultants - we’re providing a sports injury clinic and physiotherapy, for example.” says Spire’s Sarah Bowrey. “Our aim is to provide high quality private healthcare at a time to suit you.” ■ For more information on Dr Nigel Hume’s private GP services at 12 Broad Street Stamford, call 0116 272 3201 or visit www.spireleicester.com.