General questions
Do I need to have a pre-op consultation?
Yes, all patients require a pre-op consultation prior to any surgical treatment. During this appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions, and the doctor will discuss the procedure and outcomes, while also providing an exact costing. The GP may provide different options for surgical treatments, these tend to have different outcomes. You are advised to take your time to consider the available options and best outcomes for you.
There may even be the odd occasion where a doctor can complete a small procedure on the day, for example, for a small skin tag, so you’re more than welcome to ask if this is an option.
Compliments and complaints
We welcome feedback on our services, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We always try to resolve any issues informally in the first instance, so please do give us a call if there’s anything you’d like to discuss. However, if this route isn’t satisfactory, you can email a formal complaint to [email protected]. We’ll respond to all formal complaints within 48 hours.
What is your new patient procedure?
All patients can self-book using our online booking tool, and no referral is required. If you’re unsure what kind of appointment to book, give us a call and we can help.
Once you’ve booked, we’ll send out a pre-consultation questionnaire to collect some basic medical background. For some appointment types, we may ask you to download your NHS medical record via the NHS app, which is easy to do (and we’ll provide instructions to guide you).
Can I claim for my appointment on insurance?
You need to speak to your insurer prior to your appointment. Some insurers will reimburse you for the appointment, but you’ll need to present any documentation at the time of your appointment for the doctor to sign.
Please ensure you make it clear to your insurers at the outset that our doctors are GPs, with special interests and graduate qualifications in dermatology and/or women’s health and gynaecology – not consultant dermatologists or gynaecologists.
Do you treat children under the age of 16?
Yes, but we’d only treat under 16s at our clinic with parental consent. For more invasive procedures, or those requiring a certain level of pain tolerance such as verruca freezing, we would recommend only over 10s. If you’re under 16 and unable to obtain parental consent, please speak to your NHS GP, who can help and advise.
It’s best to give us a call before booking any appointments for under 16s, to ensure we are the right people to help. If we can’t help, we’ll point you in the right direction.
How long will I have to wait for my procedure, following the pre-operative consultation?
Our usual wait times for procedures are between one and three weeks.
Women's Health
What pain relief do you offer during coil fits?
Our doctors are very experienced in coil fittings, so you’re in safe hands. And while we find that, for many patients, the feeling of confidence and safety makes for a relaxed atmosphere, where they don’t feel like they need or want pain relief, we appreciate this isn’t the case for everyone.
We very much respect patient choice and recognise that coil fits can be painful for some women, affecting everyone differently. We therefore offer codeine, Entonox (nitrous oxide) and local anaesthetic (cervical block), so feel free to discuss pain relief options with your doctor prior to the procedure.
What is Entonox?
Entonox, also known as nitrous oxide or ‘gas and air’, is used in many medical settings for reliable, fast impacting pain relief (some women will be familiar with Entonox from childbirth). It’s most effective after two minutes’ use, and as the effects wear off very quickly, it’s ideal for short procedures. You can even drive thirty minutes after taking Entonox.
Please note, Entonox is currently only available in our Oxford clinic.
Do you treat nervous patients?
Yes, we’re well resourced to treat nervous patients. Our doctors are highly trained specialists, with the luxury of time to ensure our patients are fully confident and informed. For all appointments we will discuss pain relief options and assist in mitigating any fears or concerns.
How much do private prescriptions cost?
All NHS prescriptions are a set fee, regardless of the cost of the drug. However, private prescriptions will be charged by the pharmacy for the individual drugs. The cost is roughly £20 for most HRT drugs, and £25 for testosterone, while a course of antibiotics can range from £5-20 per prescription.
Do you prescribe Testosterone?
Yes, where appropriate, we can prescribe testosterone as part of menopause treatments.
Our Women’s Health specialists answer your questions
Is a coil fitting painful?
I'm nervous about getting the coil fitted, does it hurt?
Is HRT right for me?
What is perimenopause?
How do I know if I'm going through the menopause?
Is a coil suitable for someone going through early menopause?
What can I expect when having an implant fitted?
How can Oxona help me manage the menopause?
Dermatology
Do you offer Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) treatment for acne?
Yes, we can prescribe Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) – a drug used to treat acne. The regulations for prescribing this are very strict, so regular appointments and blood tests are required. Please see our Roaccutane treatment blog for more information.
If you’re on the waiting list to see an NHS dermatologist, we can get you started on Roaccutane (following a skin diagnosis and treatment consultation) and you can then switch to the NHS once you get a date for your consultation.
Why is cyst removal more expensive than mole or blemish removal?
Cyst removal can be more complex, as cysts are usually stuck down to underlying tissue. The cyst has to be teased away very carefully to ensure the entire cyst is removed and so that you get the best possible cosmetic result.
