Referral Procedure and Information
Private referrals for assessment and treatment of mental health problems
I request that all referrals are made via a letter from your GP as they provide important background clinical information.
Once a referral has been received, you will be contacted by me or my secretary (usually within 48 hours) so that a convenient appointment can be arranged. Appointments can usually be offered within 2 weeks of the referral. I can offer appointments by video consultation (using Zoom) or at Rother House Medical Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon. You will also receive some information in the post from me, which includes my Guide to Fees and Terms of Engagement forms. Please try to ensure that the Terms of Engagement form is completed and brought to your first appointment.
For video consultations I use Zoom software which is free to download and to create an account. Prior to the appointment please ensure that Zoom is downloaded to your device and that you have access to your email. At the time of your appointment I will send an email link for the consultation. Please click on this link and you will be taken to a waiting room until the consultation commences. You will be the only person with the meeting link and I am the only person that can allow someone to join the consultation, and therefore you can be assured that the consultation cannot be joined by anyone else.
Free parking is available at Rother House Medical Centre. When parking there, please do not purchase a ticket in the parking machines - instead please inform reception and they will provide you with a free permit.
If you are going to claim costs through your health insurance, please contact them in advance of the appointment to seek authorisation for the referral. I am recognised by most of the major health insurance companies, including BUPA, AXA Health, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, SimplyHealth and PruHealth.
Your initial appointment will take between 1 and 1 ½ hours. Being accompanied by a relative or friend can often be beneficial. Please bring a list of your current medication and the completed "Terms of Engagement " form (please see link below to download form if required). It is often possible to reach a diagnosis and agree a treatment plan by the end of the first appointment, though this may take longer if, for example, further investigations are required. At the appointment we will talk about the difficulties you may be experiencing, as well as discussing your background. If you are being referred because of concerns with regards to your memory, the appointment will usually include detailed memory testing. In addition it is sometimes necessary to arrange additional tests, for example brain scans or blood tests.
I charge set standard fees for initial assessments and follow-up appointments as detailed on the Fees page
Referrals for assessment of capacity
Referrals are accepted from Solicitors, patients or their families. Depending on the complexity of the assessment, this would usually be undertaken and completed (with a detailed report) within one to two weeks of receipt of the referral. Once a referral has been received, you will be contacted by me or my secretary (usually within 48 hours) so that a convenient appointment can be arranged. Appointments can usually be offered within 2 weeks of the referral. At present I can offer appointments by video consultation (using Zoom) or at Rother House Medical Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon. It is sometimes helpful if you are accompanied by a friend or relative, although some assessments of capacity have to be undertaken alone, though I would make that clear in advance if that was the case.
For video consultations I use Zoom software which is free to download and to create an account. Prior to the appointment please ensure that Zoom is downloaded to your device and that you have access to your email. At the time of your appointment I will send an email link for the consultation. Please click on this link and you will be taken to a waiting room until the consultation commences. You will be the only person with the meeting link and I am the only person that can allow someone to join the consultation, and therefore you can be assured that the consultation cannot be joined by anyone else.
Free parking is available at Rother House Medical Centre. When parking there, please do not purchase a ticket in the parking machines - instead please inform reception and they will provide you with a free permit.
I charge by the hour for capacity assessments as detailed on the Fees page