When you fall ill at the weekend or during the night, or suddenly feel much worse than you had, it can be reassuring for a General Practitioner (GP) to take a look at you.
However, with NHS doctors under pressure it’s often difficult enough to get an appointment during the day, let alone a home visit outside office hours.
House call from a GP in London
Years ago, it was common for GPs to make house calls in the middle of the night to patients who were concerned about their health. It made perfect sense for a doctor to pop around to someone’s home to give reassurance and advice about a worrying symptom that struck in the small hours, or perhaps a child with a soaring temperature.
Today NHS GPs don’t have the resources to make house calls as frequently, especially in areas of high demand like metropolitan London.
But sometimes you instinctively feel that there is more to the problem and you want to see a doctor. Perhaps you – or your loved one – may simply be too ill to get to the A&E department of your local hospital. Maybe you feel concerned about wasting hard-pressed NHS services.
So if you think the situation doesn’t warrant an emergency call but you want a reassuring medical opinion, calling a private GP who’s available around the clock may be the perfect solution. Out of hours GPs can visit you at home, in your office or your hotel room.
What you can expect from an out of hours private GP
When you call a private GP you can expect a no-fuss, hassle-free experience with a professional who can usually reach you within two hours and offer advice, treatment and reassurance.
Our doctors at London clinic Twenty-five Harley Street have been hand-picked for their expertise and dedication. All have gained specialist skills in specialist areas of medicine, which they bring to their general practice.
As well as same-day appointments, our GPs are able to spend time talking to you about symptoms, and making a thorough assessment. So you won’t feel hurried, as can happen when you only get the allotted 10 minutes or so at your local GP surgery.
One of our team of GPs, Dr Debbie Street, says, “I love the fact that I have half an hour to spend with my patients. When I see a them, I know I can give a really good service.” This can then be followed up with more cost-effective 15 minute appointments.
Her colleague Dr Amarjit Raindi agrees with her, adding: “It’s such a pleasure from a professional point of view to really have time to stop and listen to our patients.”
Our GPs can also:
- Make a quick diagnosis
- Write prescriptions
- Offer a follow up call free of charge for 24 hours following the GP’s visit
- Recommend additional treatment
- Make admissions to a private hospital
- Referrals to the best consultants in the UK
- Offer continuity of care at our clinic, 25 Harley Street.
When you should dial 999
There are certain situations when you should, of course, dial for an ambulance immediately.
You should always dial 999 if:
- A person loses consciousness
- Strokes
- If a person suddenly becomes confused
- When there are breathing difficulties
- Sudden and persistent chest pain
- There is severe bleeding which you can’t stem
- Severe allergic reactions
- A fit that is not quickly recovered from
- Severe burns
In the case of children, you should be even more careful, such as if their temperature remains high (normal body temperature is usually 37degrees, a child’s body temperature can vary between 36 and 37.5 degrees. You must seek medical help straight away if their temperature goes over 39). Other signs to get immediate assistance include if they’re struggling to breathe or are unresponsive and floppy, or you can’t wake them.
A one-stop clinic
If you’re in need of tests, or further exploration to get you fit and healthy again, we can continue your care at Twenty-five with our fully integrated central London clinic.
The state-of-the art facilities mean that blood tests, X-rays and scanning can be all offered onsite, allowing for a smooth patient experience.
This makes it a stress-free experience, as your prescribed treatments and referrals can be offered within the clinic.
Harley Street offers super-specialisms in:
- Nutrition
- Freedom from pain
- Nutritional balance
- Counselling
- Psychotherapy
- Menopause care
And naturally, one of the key benefits of seeing a private GP is to ensure you get a fast referral to the right specialist when you need it.
Our Laboratory can offer swift results for a range of blood tests, including:
- Hormonal checks
- Thyroid
- Vitamin deficiency
- Anaemia
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
With a high-tech treatment room, you can also have certain procedures under local anaesthetic. Conditions like heavy periods and fibroids can be treated with office gynaecology (or ambulatory gynaecology).
Your GP can refer you on to London’s best and most renowned health experts as appropriate.
