Struggling to find a GP appointment?

Here at Spire Elland Hospital we understand the difficultly in finding an appointment time to suit your busy schedule. We are pleased to introduced our new private GP service, which provides easy access to appointment times – allowing you more time with a doctor in the comfort of our modern facilities.

Dr Mark Wilshere answers some questions you might want to know before booking your private GP appointment.

How quickly can I get an appointment? 
There are a range of Spire GP appointment times available for adults, including same day. The service is soon to expand and will offer further appointments in the week, giving you even more options to see a GP.

How long would an appointment last?
Initial appointments with the GP are for 30 minutes, which is three times longer than your usual NHS GP appointment. During this time, our GP will discuss your symptoms and concerns in full, your medical history and medications, and any other relevant information.

This extra time allows you to discuss your issues in full without the feeling of being rushed and all within the comfort of our excellent and relaxing facilities. You can also receive an outcome letter after your appointment, which details the consultation, any results and the outcome or plan – ensuring you are kept fully aware of your care.

What happens when I arrive?
You will be greeted by the reception team when you arrive for your appointment. They will ask you to complete a health questionnaire before seeing the GP, if you have not already done this. Please allow extra time before your appointment to complete this if necessary.

What happens if I need to be referred?
If you need to be referred for further tests, treatments or to see a specialist, this will be discussed during your appointment.

Spire Elland Hospital provides a comprehensive range of investigations, from blood tests and ultrasound to MRI and CT scanners. Referrals to on-site physiotherapy or specialists are incredibly easy and can be arranged very quickly to ensure you are not waiting very long for the care you need.

Can a private GP prescribe the drugs or medications I might need?
Yes, a private prescription can be written by the GP for treatment resulting from the appointment. Prescriptions are free and included in the cost of the appointment. You simply pay the drug cost to the on-site pharmacy, which can often be cheaper than a standard NHS prescription.

If I return to my own GP, would they be able to find out what had been diagnosed or prescribed? 
All patients are given an outcome letter after their appointment and a copy is also sent to their own GP. This ensures transparency between professionals and maintains good medical practice.

Would a private GP only be able to refer me to consultants working at the private hospital? 
Yes, the GP is able to refer patients to all the consultants, diagnostic and treatment services available at Spire Elland Hospital.

Is there an age limit to the service? 
While Spire GPs are experienced, Spire hospitals are not designed to cope with children’s medical emergencies and are therefore unable to see any patients under the age of 18.