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FAQs

Appointment bookings

We have put together a list of some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding appointment bookings.

From how to book a new appointment, booking a follow up appointment and how to cancel an appointment, to Spire GP and hospital parking, this FAQ page will answer these queries as well as other commonly asked questions. 

Book online to see a leading medical expert 

General appointment bookings

  • Self-pay

    You can book an appointment to see one of our experts by visiting our consultant search page. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our private patient advisers at your local Spire hospital.

    Find out more about self-pay options.

    Private medical insurance 

    Always contact your insurer before booking an appointment with us so they can pre-authorise your treatment. Your insurer will check that your policy covers you to see a consultant at a Spire hospital that suits you.

    If you haven't been referred to a specific consultant, your insurer will provide a choice of consultants to pick from. Contact the outpatient appointment team at your chosen Spire hospital to book an appointment. You'll need to provide your insurer details, pre-authorisation code and consultant name when you get in touch. Visit our contact us page to see the details for all our Spire hospitals.

    For information on how to book an appointment at Spire using private medical insurance, visit our PMI booking information page.

    NHS

    You need to be referred to the hospital by your GP. Only NHS patients in England and Northern Ireland are covered by the scheme. To find out more about receiving NHS treatment at a Spire hospital visit our NHS booking information page.

  • You can book a follow up appointment at the hospital following your first visit. Alternatively, you can book your follow up appointment by contacting the outpatient appointments team at your chosen Spire hospital.

  • No, you can't book a follow up appointment online. You can only book your initial appointment using our online booking portal. Follow up appointments can either be booked in person at the hospital following your first appointment or by contacting the outpatient appointments team at your chosen Spire hospital.

  • Self-pay

    To book a physiotherapy appointment, contact our private patient advisers at your chosen Spire hospital and they will be able to assist you further in making an appointment.

    Private medical insurance

    Always contact your insurer before booking an appointment with us so they can pre-authorise your treatment. Your insurer will check that your policy covers you to see a consultant at a Spire hospital that suits you.

    If you haven't been referred to a specific physiotherapist, your insurer will provide a choice of physiotherapists to pick from. Contact the outpatient appointment team at your chosen Spire hospital to book an appointment. You'll need to provide your insurer details, pre-authorisation code and consultant name when you get in touch. Visit our contact us page to see the details for all our Spire hospitals.

  • To cancel your appointment, contact the outpatient appointments team at your chosen Spire hospital. Please note that due to GDPR regulations you are not authorised to cancel an appointment on behalf of someone else unless they have given prior consent to the hospital.

  • Do I need a GP referral letter or can I self-refer?

    Self-pay

    You won't always need a GP referral and it does depend on which consultant you need to see so check with your chosen hospital.

    Find out more information about self-pay and appointment booking.

    Private medical insurance

    You'll usually need to provide your insurer with a referral letter from your GP to make a claim.

    Some insurers may allow you to self-refer for certain treatments such as physiotherapy. Your insurer will tell you which conditions and treatments need a referral letter. Find out more information on private medical insurance and appointment booking.

    NHS

    If you need to have a planned surgery or diagnostic test you may be able to choose to be referred to a Spire hospital, provided that it offers the services you require and has the space available.

    You need to be referred to the hospital by your GP. Only NHS patients in England and Northern Ireland are covered by the scheme. Find out more information about NHS treatment options at a Spire. 

  • Visit your chosen Spire hospital's website to find out vising times and visitor information.

  • For help logging into your virtual consultation please visit our virtual consultation information page.

  • It is a mandatory requirement for patients to wear a mask within our hospitals in Scotland unless medically exempt.

    For our hospitals in England and Wales:

    • Inpatients: We do not admit Covid positive patients to Spire. The only positive patients will be those confirmed during their inpatient stay. These patients will be given a mask during their stay to reduce possible transmission to others. Inpatients with any respiratory symptoms will be provided with a face mask. Patients attending cancer units are encouraged to wear a mask. All other inpatients are not required to wear a mask unless this is their personal preference
    •  Outpatients: Anyone with any respiratory symptoms must wear a face mask. Oncology/haematology patients are encouraged to wear a mask. All other outpatients are not required to wear a mask unless this is their personal preference
    •  Visitors: Visitors attending cancer units/OPS cancer review clinics are encouraged to wear a mask. Visitors attending the inpatient wards and outpatients are not required to wear a mask unless this is their personal preference

    Find out more about how we're keeping you safe.

  • All of our 39 hospitals and eight clinics have free on-site parking available to patients and visitors.

  • A referral letter from a consultant or GP is required before booking most diagnostic investigations. Please check local protocols with your chosen Spire Hospital.

    You can search for your local hospital here

Spire GP appointment bookings

  • Self-pay patients

    If you booked your appointment via our online booking portal and have a MySpire account, you can log into MySpire to check your appointment time and date. Alternatively, contact the outpatient appointments team at your local Spire hospital.

    Private medical insurance and NHS patients

    To check your appointment, contact the outpatient appointments team at your chosen Spire hospital.

  • At Spire GP we provide quick and easy access to private GP services - when you need it. There are a range of Spire GP appointment times available, including same day at some hospitals, for both adults and children. Visit our Spire GP page to book an appointment.

  • You will have 30 minutes with the GP which allows time for you to discuss your concerns and symptoms without feeling rushed. It will also enable the GP to gather the information they need, including details of your previous medical history together with any relevant lifestyle or family issues. At the end of your appointment you will receive an outcome letter which will confirm the details of your appointment including any diagnosis and recommended next steps.

  • In addition to the consultation with the GP, your appointment will also include, where appropriate:

    • Writing a private prescription
    •  Providing a referral to a consultant
    •  Recommending and referring you for scans or X-rays
    •  Highlighting what other tests you may need

    You will be provided with an outcome letter detailing all of this, together with a copy to share with your NHS GP. Any further investigations which you may require during or after your appointment, such as blood tests, scans, ECGs etc are not included in the cost of your appointment.

    Visit our Spire GP page for more information, including a list of what is and isn’t included in the appointment.

  • Arrange to see us if you’re worried about:

    • Abdominal aches and pains
    • Allergies
    • Back problems
    • Blood pressure
    • Bowel problems
    • Concerns about cholesterol
    • Earache or sore throat or swallowing problems
    • Eye problems
    • General aches and pains
    • General health concerns
    • Headaches and migraines
    • Joint pains and possible arthritis
    • Men’s health
    • Persistent cough
    • Skin complaints including cysts, acne, and dermatitis
    • Stress / anxiety
    • Urinary problems
    • Women’s health

    Please note we cannot offer a service for medical emergencies. If you think you have a medical emergency phone your NHS GP, dial 111 or 999. 

    While Spire GPs are very experienced, Spire hospitals are not designed to cope with medical emergencies including those for children, such as acute or severe breathing difficulties. Under these circumstances it would be more appropriate to contact your own GP, dial 111 or 999.

  • You will be greeted by our reception staff when you arrive for your Spire GP appointment. They will ask you to complete a health questionnaire before seeing your GP, if you have not already done this. Please allow time for this if necessary. In line with our patient terms, the reception staff will also ask you to provide card details to cover any additional costs of care.

  • Spire GP is aimed at providing you with a private GP service to suit your needs at that time. Having a Spire 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 local NHS practice to ensure assistance in the event of a medical emergency.