Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some frequent questions:
How can I register with your practice?
You need to be seen at the practice and have a consultation with Dr O Flynn. He will take you through the registration process at the first consultation.
Is there a fee to register at the practice?
Not at the moment, this is under revision.
Do you do email/telephone/video consultations?
Yes, as a follow up, for patients already seen and registered at my practice. I am happy to arrange telephone consultations. I don't do consultations via email as it is simply not practicable. With emails you lack the dynamic questioning that can be so important to any consultation. I am happy to send results and other correspondence over the internet. I am also using video conference calls for long distance patients. Currently I am using a software called Sightspeed which is a free download. Again video conferencing is only used as a follow up for patients already registered at the practice.
I charge the same rate for all consultations, whether by telephone or in the office. All medical advice has to be properly documented and recorded in the patients notes and I am sure you can appreciate this all takes time.
What are your fees?
Dr O Flynn charges £240.00 an hour for his time. That is in normal working hours. Whether its a live consultation or telephone the rate is the same. After hours and on weekends the charges shall be adjusted accordingly. Linda can take Credit Card payment over the phone on 00447932676831, most cards accepted except for Amex.
Are you covered by insurance?
That depends on your insurance policy. Dr O Flynn is a UK Registered GP, not a Specialist. The majority of Insurance firms do not cover GP fees in the U.K. However they generally cover specialist fees and pathology /laboratory fees. Its best to contact your insurance company to find out details of your cover etc before booking an appointment.
Do You Prescribe Biodentical Hormones?
Yes , it is possible for a number of patients who have issues with fatigue as part of their symptom complex.I use a Salivary Hormone Test that is provided by Medaus Pharmacy , a leading compounding pharmacy in the U.S.. This test is done by post.
Based on the Salivary Hormone Results a bioidentical hormone compound can be prescribed.This is unliscensed and a thorough information and consent procedure has to be observed. I have found this to be useful in a small number of patients that have not been able to tolerate conventional HRT due to side effects. Nonetheless HRT for menopausal symptoms is a contentious area currently and there are varying opinions. Getting balanced information is not an easy task.
Do you do house calls?
Strictly by prior arrangement. I like to be able to provide that type of service as I feel its a disappearing part of what good General Practice is all about.
Do you have a complaints policy?
Yes , this can be sent in in writing to the Practice care of Linda Roe. If we cannot solve complaints at a local level there is a procedure in place with the IDF complaints section.
Out of hours, what are the arrangements?
In cases of medical emergency please call the practice number on 02075846116. There will be a message with details of the on call doctor. I aim to provide a 24 hr cover for practice patients.
Do you provide Repeat Prescriptions?
For practice registered patients these are sent by first class post, by arrangement with Dr O Flynn. Please note that I require at least 3 working days to process a repeat prescription. In cases of emergency only prescriptions can be phoned or faxed through to a local pharmacy.
Do you have an email address?
In an effort to cut down on spam we only release our email address at registration. Its not available on the website. If you need it please contact my PA , Linda Roe on 00447932676831 and she will provide it for you.
Do you provide vaccinations?
Yes, individual and normal immunisation schedule and travel vaccines are provided for practice patients by prior arrangement.Please click Childhood Vaccination Schedule for latest NHS advice on required vaccines. Please check this site Worldwide Vaccination Information to ascertain your vaccination needs. If you are going to a Yellow Fever Endemic region then you will have to be immunised at a registered Yellow Fever Vaccine Clinic. Click to get a list of centres in the UK. Note, the practice is not registered to give the Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Individual components of the MMR vaccine are available and I do provide this service for practice patients subject to consultations. These vaccines have to be ordered individually and can take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive. So please plan accordingly.
Also please be aware to give yourself plenty of time to vaccinate prior to travel as specific vaccinations need to be pre ordered. It can take weeks for vaccinations to be effective.
Do you use Wilson Syndrome Protocols
There is a lot of health information on the net and as a result there is a lot of self diagnosis. Patients often ask if I follow certain therapeutic approaches. I am not in a position to agree to treatment proprosals without first having clinically assessed and examined the patient myself and discussed their options as I see them at that time. Wilsons Syndrome , Intestinal Candidiasis, Mitochondrial Dysfunction are good examples of this where I feel treatments need to be individualised following a proper clinical assessment.
Do you have an annual appraisal ?
Yes. I have an annual appraisal via my NHS contract. This years, 2008 was done on May the 6th. I plan to make this available online. Annual appraisal for Gp's will merge with a sytem for revalidation in the near future. It is all about trying to ensure standards and safeguarding patients. To find out more about this process go to Appraisal Guidance by the DOH