Frequently asked questions
Cost/Payment
How much is the cost of a consultation/assessment with the Practice?
The cost is dependent on the type and length of appointment (£185-£425). Payment is required within 14 days, either by cheque, credit card or BACS. Specialised Assessment costs may vary. Some of the more complex consultations/assessments will require a deposit to be placed and our Admin Team will advise if this is applicable at booking.
Can I claim back the fee from my medical insurers?
This will depend on your personal medical cover and it is essential that you check with your insurers before attending the appointment. If you are covered, we will require the membership number and unique authorisation number for each visit in order to deal directly with them. Some insurers may insist on a referral via your GP.
Why do we need to provide credit/debit card details?
You will be asked to provide your credit/debit card details in order to secure the appointment and these are held on our PCI compliant secure system. If you are self-pay your card will be debited automatically following the appointment and a receipt issued. If you are insured and there are any shortfalls, the card provided will be debited accordingly and a receipt issued.
Urgent Help
What if my child needs to be seen and one of the Practice doctors are not available?
We strive to help all patients; however, it is not always possible to do so. In these situations, and where the next available appointment is not suitable, our office team we will be able to recommend alternative doctors, your GP or the Portland Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre 0203 910 2412 dependent on the child’s condition.
How do I contact the Practice Doctors in an out of office hours’ emergency?
If the doctor undertakes the care of your child for a specific complex episode, he/she will provide alternative telephone numbers for contact out of hours cover. The Portland does not have an A&E Department, however if you need to speak to a Paediatrician in the event of an emergency, out of hours or at the weekend, you may call the Portland’s Urgent Care Centre on 0203 910 2412. If your child needs admission this will be arranged and we will be informed accordingly.
Immunisations
When does my child require immunisations?
We provide immunisations according to the current UK schedule e.g. at 2, 3 and 4 months of age initially as standard. However, if your country’s immunisation schedule differs, this can also be accommodated. Additional vaccines which are not strictly part of the UK schedule, such as Hep A & B, Chickenpox, Meningitis-ACWY, BCG and Flu vaccines can also be provided upon request.
My child is due to have his/her immunisation – will the Practice provide this?
The primary immunisation series requires 3 separate visits and these are available to you without charge at your local NHS baby clinic. However, our Practice doctors would be happy to provide these at a cost of £185 (+ cost of vaccines) Please note the cost of the immunisations or well child checks are not generally covered by medical insurance companies). It is advisable that these are given only when your child is in good health. We recommend that you purchase some paracetamol prior to the appointment as your child may develop a temperature post immunisation and this will help make him/her more comfortable.
Appointments
Do I need to register my child with Dr Hay Ltd in advance?
No. Your child’s details will be taken when you telephone to make your first appointment with the Practice. Click here if you would like to book an appointment.
Why do I need to register with the Portland Hospital or Centennial Medical Centre on arrival?
Our records are held separately to the clinics and each will request registration on arrival to ensure that their records are kept up to date. Should investigations be requested by the doctor following your visit, this will also make arranging much simpler and quicker.
How long will the appointment last?
An initial appointment will generally last up to 45 minutes, follow-ups and immunisation appointments 30 minutes and developmental or more complicated problems, can take up to and occasionally more than one hour.
Does the Practice provide home visits?
No. Unfortunately, hospital commitments do not allow us to visit sick children at home. If your child is too unwell to travel to the consulting rooms, please contact your local GP who may be able to help with a home visit.
When should my child have routine check-ups?
There is not a pre-defined schedule for general check-ups however it is advisable to have your child initially checked at 6 weeks. As a guide, routine checks can be at milestones such as 6 month, a year, 18 months, 2 years and annually thereafter.
What if my child requires further investigations such as blood tests or an X-ray?
If it is necessary for your child to have tests e.g. blood or urine, these are readily available from the child friendly services at both the Portland Hospital, with its full range of Pathology Services or from The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), a highly regarded Pathology Test Service. You will be asked to register with the hospital or TDL so that they can invoice directly for these tests.
My child has a rash, could it be contagious?
If you suspect your child may be contagious with Chickenpox or Measles, please inform us when making an appointment. The Portland Hospital deals predominantly with pregnant ladies and small children and it is preferable that where possible, the child is seen by his/her local GP for these types of infections.
Do you provide Telephone and/or Email Advice?
As the Practice doctors do have very busy clinics, it can sometimes be quite difficult for them to speak to you when in clinic or respond quickly to emails. However, the Office Team will often be able to answer the most frequently asked questions. Should further assistance be required, the doctors will of course endeavour to speak to you, either at lunch-time or at the end of the clinic. Dependent on the nature of your concerns, you may be asked to book an appointment in the first instance, so your child can be examined carefully in order to determine the most appropriate management plan.
I've booked an appointment and can no longer attend - what should I do?
If you have booked an appointment and are for any reason unable to attend, please telephone 0207 390 8295 to cancel giving at least 24 hours notice. Out of hours, a message can be left on our answering machine. We always have children waiting for cancellations, and it may one day be your child. We do charge a late/non cancellation fee of £100 debited automatically from the credit/debit card provided, if the appointment cannot be reallocated in time to another child.
Parking
Is there parking at The Portland?
Is there parking at the Hertfordshire Clinic?
Data Privacy
Why do I need to provide my consent?
Following the introduction of GDPR which came into effect in May 2018, we are legally obliged to obtain your written consent to process and hold your child’s data, communicate and correspond with you and other healthcare providers in this regard. In doing so efficiently and effectively, certain medical and personal information, including yours may be contained.
What is our Privacy Policy?
We will look after your data as we would our own. Click here to view our detailed privacy policy.
COVID-19
Covid-19 - What services are available?
We are pleased to advise that we are now beginning to see patients for face to face appointments again at the Portland Hospital and in our Hertfordshire based clinic at the Centennial Medical Centre. While these clinics are limited at present, we are continuing to offer telephone/video consultations and in some cases following necessary screening, home visits can be arranged for immunisations and non-infectious concerns.
