FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The easiest way to book an appointment is via our online booking system. You can select either a face-to-face or video/phone call appointment and you can change or cancel appointments. Alternatively, you can call one of our receptionists or your doctors’ secretary during surgery hours, which are 9am to 6pm. If you need to see a doctor urgently, please speak to their secretary or call the surgery on 0207 245 9333. We aim to see urgent cases on the day, but in all cases booking early is best.

Yes. Appointments can be booked for face-to-face, telephone or video consultations. If you need to speak to a doctor urgently, please let one of our receptionists know.

If you would prefer a home visit, please call the surgery or contact your doctor’s secretary so they can speak to your doctor.

The consultation fee covers the time you are with the doctor and any standard examinations that may be carried out at that time. Our fees also include administration that arises from your consultation such as writing prescriptions, making referrals and sick notes.

If you require any tests, these will be discussed with you in the consultation and may incur additional costs. If paperwork needs to be completed, for example to claim from an insurer, we may charge an administration fee. Invoices are raised and paid for immediately after the consultation.

Failing to attend an appointment or cancelling at late notice (less than four hours before your appointment time) will incur the full consultation cost. The cancellation fee will however be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not be charged if the individual circumstances show the late cancellation was unavoidable.

Standard consultations are for 30 minutes, annual medicals take 60 minutes and short appointments are for 15 minutes. Flu vaccines take 5 minutes, whilst some vaccinations require a 15-minute appointment, and travel consultations are 30 minutes. When you book online or by phone, the appointment length will be confirmed.

It’s recommended that you complete the registration form in advance of your first appointment, so that we have your contact details and some medical background for you. You can complete our registration form via our secure online form. If you are unable to do this, don’t worry, you just need to arrive 10 minutes before your first appointment so you have time to complete the form.

We offer comprehensive blood and urine testing. Your doctor will always explain which investigations they recommend, if any, and why each one will be helpful. Tests are priced according to your specific requirements, and the price is entirely dependent upon which tests are agreed. These can be discussed as part of your consultation.

If we recommend imaging, we will refer you to one of our private hospital partners. Fees for imaging will be paid directly to the private hospital in question and vary by provider.

Blood test, urine sample and other test results will be given to you in writing or by telephone within a few days. If the tests are urgent, they will be telephoned through as soon as possible. If you feel your results are delayed, please contact the practice staff who will ask the relevant doctor to call you.

If you require urgent medical attention, advice, or a home visit, please call the practice on 0207 245 9333. If you are in any doubt as to your immediate safety, we urge you to contact NHS emergency services directly. We do not have A&E facilities. Our receptionists are not medically trained. They can advise you on the availability of our services, but do not offer medical advice. If, upon consultation, our doctor determines that you require emergency care in the NHS, they will of course aid and advise you on accessing this.

We always endeavor to see our patients promptly. On occasion, this may not be with your regular doctor but you will be seen by one of our other practice doctors – we do not use agency doctors.

If you need medical attention out of hours do please phone our office number 0207 245 9333 and keep on the phone call until you are connected to our out of hours receptionist. He or she will then contact the duty doctor who will return your call as soon as possible. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, you should always dial 999 immediately.

When specialist care is required we give our patients reassurance by connecting them with some of the world’s leading specialists, making sure they are treated quickly and sympathetically. We do not have direct access to consultants’ diaries and will refer you to their secretary for appointment booking.

This will depend upon your individual policy wording, so we advise you to check with your insurer prior to booking an appointment or starting any treatment that you would like to claim for. Most UK insurers do not cover private GP consultations, but international insurers often do.

We are happy to help you with repeat prescriptions. Simply, complete the prescription request form to request your medication. This form can only be used for medications which you are prescribed as repeat or ongoing medications from your GP at the surgery.

Repeat prescriptions will require a medication review with your doctor. How frequently this occurs depends on the medication prescribed and your medical history. At a minimum, for any repeat prescription, you will need to be seen annually.

We try to issue your prescription as quickly as possible but please be aware that your prescription may take up to 48 hours to be issued. It is therefore best to make your request with this in mind. Should you wish to be notified when your prescription is ready, please select this option on the form.

Absolutely! Whether you need to be seen for urgent care, a referral, some reassurance, or long-term support, Sloane Street Surgery is here for you. It is important that you keep any other doctors treating you updated though, and we can provide you with a copy of your records to help with this.

The practice provides full access for disabled patients. If you are disabled and have any special requirements, please call reception on 0207 245 9333 and we will be happy to help.

The practice has trained chaperones available on request. Please let your doctor know if you would prefer to have a chaperone during your consultation or during an examination.

Your interactions with our practice will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. Confidentiality underpins the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship. Our service is governed by the strict standards of confidentiality set by the GMC (General Medical Council). We are independent, and in keeping with GMC regulation, will only share information with other providers when you give us permission, or when legally compelled to do so. If we issue a prescription, GMC guidance states that we should share this information with your regular GP and we will seek your permission before doing so.

Patient information is processed within the practice for the purpose of providing direct care. You may request a copy of our confidentiality policy by calling the surgery on 0207 245 9333.

Sloane Street Surgery adheres strictly to current data protection regulation in the UK. For those registered with us as patients, we hold data on the basis of ‘vital interests’ and hold that data for the recommended period from the Information Governance Alliance. Should you wish to be removed from our database or to see the information we hold, contact us by calling the surgery on 0207 245 9333.

If you aren’t happy please read our complaints procedure outlined here