bex1

Has anyone used any of the designated Medical Practitioners in the South? Anywhere like Bournemouth (which is actually Poole), Winchester, Slough (Farnham), Thornton Heath (Croydon), Horsham and even Bristol?

Would be interested to hear other peoples experiences and varying costs.

Thanks.

marimac

OH went to Bournemouth - he booked the appointment first and then was told to book his x-ray at Bournemouth Hospital. He wasn't able to get an appointment the same day, so had to travel twice to Bournemouth (he didn't ask if he could have got his x-ray done at any other hospital). Other then that, they seemed good.

Costs were:
£80 - x-ray
£120 - medical
£50 - 2 blood tests (£25 each)
£7 - postage

(this is from about a month ago, so costs current)

Bournemouth surgery is in Bournemouth - it's on Poole Road, but it was walking distance (10 minutes or so) from Bournemouth train station.

bex1

Thanks Marimac, Bournemouth is my closest, only 15 minutes away, it's a lady, Karen Tennyson, listed on the website, did your OH see her or do others do it too? and more importantly was she nice Don't want them scaring the kids off!

marimac

He saw Dr Tina A'Ness, another lady - but Dr Tennyson is listed on the letterhead too, so is the same place. Sounded like she was nice - and very efficient too (seen on time, etc.).

Would recommend that if you/family members do have any conditions or anything that you've been treated for, to get any records from your local surgery. For example, OH has asthma, but got his records of his last test and prescription (cost £10 to get from our surgery) - she photocopied it and included it with the report.

bex1

That's worth knowing beforehand, although more cost

I had also heard that if you've not got an uptodate smear test to get one done and take the results with you rather than them doing one, although your OH wouldn't know about that

marimac

Nope! Didn't know about that one!

Just found the letter they sent us about the appointment (it also advises about bringing GP reports). Anyways, it also has the costs listed:

Adult £120
Child 6-14 £80
Child 5 and under £65

Plus blood tests & x-ray.

bex1

Thanks, useful to have the kids prices too. Just Googled the address and I know exactly where it is, prices seem reasonable too once you consider travelling out of the area to cheaper ones it's much of a much.

drabux

Forget Bristol. The GP only does them once a month, purely for her own convenience, so that she can get them all done in one day, so I was told by her secretary.

I ended up going to the private service in Oxford, which was a very a efficeint experience.

Alanb