Frequently Asked Questions

~ Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ
What is our fees structure and invoicing process when you see our consultant in the Lake District Neurology clinic

  1. New patient appointment, up to 40 minutes duration face to face 300£, teleconference 290£. This comes with a clinic letter, which is emailed or posted within 48 hours of the appointment. If required consultant will discuss further management with your GP on telephone. Furthermore this includes a short review phone call (10min) 2 -3 weeks later to check on your progress, if required.
  2. Review appointment, usually 20 to 30 minutes, face to face 190£, on telephone 165£. If required the appointment can be longer, consultant’s fee 350£ per hour.
  3. On-demand urgent phone call, if patient phones MSP Lake District Clinic to speak with consultant urgently, our fee for the urgent consultation is 350£ per hour.
  4. If visiting patient at home, our fee is 350£ per hour.
  5. Fee for our chaperone service is 30£ per hour.
  6. You receive an email with our invoice from QuickBooks (intuit) with a link to proceed with a card payment or a bank transfer. The invoice is due before your appointment.
  7. Cancellation is non-refundable if cancelled 48 hours or less prior to your appointment.

Can be the cost of physiotherapy treatment in European medical centre reimbursed by NHS?

Some physiotherapy interventions in European medical centres might be available to reimbursement under the NHS S2 scheme (pre- BREXIT). (The S2 route may entitle patients to NHS-funded treatment in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland). Therefore, we would advise you to bring the bill covering physiotherapy treatments back to the UK and negotiate reimbursement with your local commissioning group. Some of the treatments might be reimbursed, of course subject to successful negotiations.

It is not clear what arrangement will be negotiated post-BREXIT between the UK and EU, we expect that the UK will have separate agreements with each EU country about reciprocity of the medical care. We will update the answer to this question pending BREXIT negotiations.

Who will pay for my treatments in EU medical centre?

Whilst the thought of paying for private Medical Treatment is daunting to some and until recent years it has been considered the prerogative of the rich and elite or for those with private medical insurance, however it is increasingly common, since the waiting times under the NHS are often around 12 months long or even longer.

The cost of a stay in most Medical Spas in central Europe on our list, including the treatment (typically 3-4 treatment sessions daily) is comparable to the cost of a package 3/4-star holiday.

Some treatments in Europe might also be available to reimbursement under the NHS S2 scheme. (The S2 route may entitle patients to NHS-funded treatment in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland).

It is not clear what arrangement will be negotiated post-BREXIT between UK and EU, we expect that the UK will have separate agreements with each EU country about reciprocity of the medical care. We will update the answer to this question pending BREXIT negotiations.

What is the cost of 2 weeks stay in European physiotherapy centre?

The cost of a stay in most Medical Spas in central Europe on our list, including the treatment (typically 3-4 treatment sessions daily) is comparable to the cost of a package 3/4-star holiday.

Is residential physiotherapy available under the NHS?

Working the UK and the NHS I became aware of the limitations within the NHS as well as private health system to provide this type of intensive therapeutic/rehabilitative programmes that is commonplace across Europe, but not available in the UK.

“In the early 20th century spas were important tourism resorts continuing to enjoy considerable patronage being an established part of orthodox medicine and providing relief for many medical conditions. The Great War was to bring the early 20th century spa habit to an abrupt end, with the influx of between 50 and 75 thousand war wounded and invalid soldiers for treatment at the spa resorts of Britain. It also curtailed the habits of the well-off visiting foreign spas”. (The British Spa Federation website, 2018)

What is the benefit of staying in the European Medical Spa compared to ambulatory physio regime under NHS?

Intensive therapeutic/physiotherapy programmes in a medical spa provide patients with a shorter recovery to a full health potential, compared to a protracted and sparsely offered physiotherapy regime currently offered by the NHS which provides you with prolonged recovery.

The health system providers and commissioners in most western and central European countries are well aware of the benefits and the cost of majority of the physio and rehabilitation programs are reimbursed to local patients. The advantages are:

  • shorter duration of your off sick leave
  • ability to return to your previous job (in many cases)
  • recovery to a full health potential
  • reduced amount of medication needed (e.g. painkillers)

Can I bring to European medical centre my partner, family or friend?

Of course, yes, accommodation is in 3/4/5-star hotels (depending on your preference) of very high quality, with a true holiday feel. This is not a hospital stay despite the fact that there are teams of doctors and experts looking after you. Your partner or family can enjoy the wellness part of the hotel, or do outdoor activities (e.g. country walks, golfing) or explore promenade and history of the spa towns, whilst you have your treatments.

Is there any evening entertainment in hotels attached to medical centres?

In most hotels there is evening music or dancing for the guests; in larger resorts you might enjoy exploring restaurants, bars and evening life, and go to a theatre or concert. Carlsbad is the most vibrant and active city from our resorts; however, Teplice and Marienbad are active too. Belohrad Spa is very calm and quiet for those who prefer to just relax.

How long is usual recommendation for an intense physiotherapy stay?

This depends on your diagnosis but generally to see substantial results it is recommended you stay minimum 2 weeks, 4 weeks.

Is the health system in Czech Republic good?

According to the EHCI statistics, “the Czech Republic has always been the star performer among CEE countries” for its “very good accessibility to healthcare services” and “cost-efficient solutions.”

Accordingly to the European Consumer Health Care Index for 2018, Czech Republic ranks at respectable 14th place out of 35 countries, outdoing several Western countries including Britain (16th), Spain, Ireland, and Italy.

The country also “seems to have a degree of fundamental stability and freedom from corruption in its healthcare system, which is relatively rare in CEE states.”