| , the first private general medical practice
in Fife.
This web site explains who we are, what we do, our fee structure
and how you can contact
us, as well as related information of interest. To ensure the
site loads quickly we’ve presented the basics, but if you
need to know more, please just call or email
us.
A private general practitioner provides
medical services to patients on a direct fee-for-service basis.
Private GPs have been existence in some parts of the country (mostly
SE England) for years. As yet there are very few private GP practices
in Scotland - we are among the first.
I was born and brought up in Edinburgh and
spent 15 years as a National Health Service GP in St
Andrews, Fife
between 1984 and early 2000. I left NHS practice to help set up
and run the NetDoctor
web site, the UK’s main independent
medical information service on the internet for the public.
Following the establishment of NetDoctor I returned to clinical practice
and opened Croftwell Consulting in 2003. You can read
more about my background if you wish. more...
As a fully qualified and experienced general
medical practitioner I do everything that a National
Health Service GP ordinarily does. My advantage is that I do
not have to work within the time restrictions that are the main
source of dissatisfaction with patients and NHS
doctors alike. You can read
more about the differences between my practice and a National
Health Service one.
I therefore see patients about their medical
problems, arrange medical investigations when necessary in order
to make diagnoses, prescribe treatment and arrange follow up care.
I can also refer patients to hospital specialists when required,
both privately or via the NHS
as wished.
I also do health checks, medical
examinations and reports, travel
medicine and vaccinations
Normal hours of service are between 8 a.m.
and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday. Evening and weekend consultations
are also available. Please read
the details about the various services and how you can make
use of them.
All consultations and other contacts are
dealt with in strict confidence and no report will be sent to any
other party without your express permission. Medical records are
kept secure and you can see your medical record at any time.
Most of our services are designed to operate
from the consulting facilities at Croftwell,
but home visits can be undertaken when required. Generally these
will be done within reasonable driving range of St
Andrews. Home visits further afield may be possible with arrangement
– please contact us to discuss the matter personally.
Many minor medical queries can be resolved
by telephone or email advice. Prior
registration is required for this service, so that we hold adequate
amounts of basic medical data about you. A registration
fee is also necessary, which is refunded when you first use
the telephone or email service. Please ensure you read the information
about the limitations
of telephone and email advice.
In addition to ‘conventional’
medical practice
I have an interest in complementary
medicine, particularly homoeopathy.
Homeopathy has much
to offer when standard medical treatment (usually with drugs) fails
to make much difference or is accompanied by too many side effects.
If a homoeopathic
approach seems appropriate to your medical problem I will suggest
so and discuss it with you. Many people prefer homoeopathy
as a first choice of treatment, and you can make a specific homoeopathic
consultation booking if you wish.
Please
click here for the full list.
Our medical services are designed to complement
the care provided by your GP and the other members of your primary
care team, and not to replace it. It is neither necessary nor desirable
that you should discontinue your registration with your NHS
GP.
There is no reason why your GP should feel any
disquiet about your seeking a private GP consultation. I am a well
qualified and experienced doctor, working to the highest professional
standards. Any help I can give you will only assist your NHS
GP in his or her job.
As far as contacting your NHS
GP about your consultation with me is concerned this is entirely
your choice. I recommend that any important information is shared
with your other medical advisers, but if you prefer not to do so
this will be respected. more...
A private GP can issue a prescription
for any licensed UK medication, but not by using a National
Health Service prescription pad. Please see the prescriptions
information section about how private prescriptions work and
how this will relate to any NHS
prescriptions
you may be receiving, or are shown to need. more...
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