Anglim Private Health is a private GP surgery in Bury St Edmunds. We aim to provide high quality, convenient and accessible GP care to our patients. You can become a patient by booking an appointment, giving us a call or sending us a message. You are able to book an appointment even if you have not previously registered with us.
Many of our patients have private medical insurance and ask us how that works alongside our services at Anglim Private Health. Most UK based medical insurance products will not cover access to a private GP service like Anglim Private Health. Most expect their clients to continue to use their NHS GP, then activate and use their insurance at the point of referral from their GP to a specialist service. This is becoming more difficult as waiting times to see an NHS GP have increased. Many people choose to pay for a private GP directly, alongside their private insurance because they like the immediate and regular access to the same GP. Most insurance providers are happy to accept a referral from a private GP to activate their insurance coverage.
Doesn’t my private medical or life insurance provide me with a GP service?
Many insurance providers provide access to a remote GP service. This allows their clients to access a GP from a computer or app, or via a phone call. They do not tend to offer face to face appointments and often have more significant limitations on their offerings for example:
- They cannot provide the full examination like listening to a chest or pressing on an abdomen
- Even visual examinations like looking at a mole are much harder remotely then face to face
- They cannot conduct simple tests easily, like a blood pressure, ECG or looking in to an ear
- They cannot do blood tests themselves
- They do not offer a repeat prescription service, take over prescribing from consultants or offer shared care prescribing
- And they often are not able to prescribe controlled drugs when needed
- They lack the local knowledge regarding the private specialists available in Suffolk and the major centres adjacent to our county
But the biggest benefit of a private GP service such as Anglim Private Health is the ability to see the same GP, face to face, every time. That has been demonstrated to improve health and we feel it is a really important part of our offering.
GP care managed by a doctor who knows the local health economy
Dr Anglim has practiced as a GP in Suffolk for over a decade. He has extensive knowledge and experience of local healthcare services available including those in the private sector. For example if you need a physio who specifically helps with woman’s health, a counsellor who works very well with people who have been in the armed forces or a local cardiologist who specialises in heart rhythm problems more than blocked arteries, then he will be able to use his experience of local services to make sure you are seeing the person who best meets your needs. Similarly with an increasing number of patients opting to see a specialist in major centres like Cambridge or London, Dr Anglim has experience accessing care through those centres if that is your preferred option.
The ability to provide ongoing care
Most health insurance products in the UK are designed to be used for individual episodes of care. What that means is that if you have a worn out knee, you can be referred using your insurance, get the tests and assessments you need, have an operation and perhaps some post op physio or recovery treatment all funded by the insurance. Many illnesses are chronic, meaning ongoing, and managing those through your insurance is often tricky. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or asthma, your insurance may cover an initial referral, assessment and initial tests required. It is unlikely to provide ongoing assistance though and most UK based insurance products will not provide ongoing care for chronic illnesses.
Are there any insurance products which would provide all of the ongoing care I need?
There are, and the most common in the UK is BUPA global, designed to cover people who travel a lot and covers all care in different countries including the management of chronic conditions. If you have that type of cover it may cover using our service. It is much more expensive than traditional UK health insurance.
In summary a dedicated private GP service, like that provided by Anglim Private Health, sits very well alongside private health insurance, but is not covered by health insurance in most instances. Using Anglim Private Health GP surgery will allow you to access GP care easily and conveniently, which will include activating referrals to specialists using your insurance. You will be able to avoid any delays created by having to access your NHS GP and Dr Anglim’s knowledge of the local health services means you can be advised as to which services are absolutely best for your needs.
If you would like to book an appointment or come in to discuss becoming a monthly member of Anglim Private Health you can book an appointment here or call us on 01284 245665. Alternatively send us a message through our website, or email directly on doctors@anglimhealth.co.uk.