Frequently Asked Questions

You can make an enquiry through the website, or call or WhatsApp +44 730 509 7137.

Debbie, my practice manager, will help arrange an appointment at the most suitable location and can answer practical questions about appointments, insurance and what to bring.

Usually not. If you are self-funding, you can normally book directly.

If you have private medical insurance, your insurer may require a GP referral before authorising your consultation or treatment, so it is worth checking with them first.

Physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals can also refer patients directly to me.

Yes. I work closely with physiotherapists across Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Your physiotherapist can contact the practice directly, or you can get in touch yourself and mention who has been treating you.

I try to see new patients promptly, and appointments are often available within a week.

If the problem is particularly urgent, for example following a significant injury or if a knee is locked, please tell Debbie when you contact us so we can work out the most appropriate next step.

Yes. Many patients come to me privately to be seen within days rather than months.

You will get the same honest advice either way, including being told if waiting, or a non-surgical route, is genuinely the better option for you.

I will listen to your history, examine the knee, and review or arrange any scans that are needed.

You will leave with a clear diagnosis where possible, and a plan.

Please bring any previous scan results, a list of your medications, and your questions.

Usually not.

I’d much rather meet you first, hear what has been happening and examine your knee. Sometimes a simple X-ray tells us more than an MRI, and sometimes no scan is needed at all.

If imaging would genuinely help us understand the problem or decide what to do next, I’ll arrange the most appropriate investigation. If you already have recent scans from your GP or another clinic, bring them or the report with you.

It captures the basics: your contact details, which knee is affected and a short note about the problem, so Debbie can direct your enquiry and I have some context before we meet.

You can give these details over the phone instead if you would prefer.

This depends on your individual policy.

I am recognised by the major UK private medical insurers. Before your appointment, contact your insurer to check your cover and obtain an authorisation number if one is required.

Your insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurer, so it is always worth checking what they will fund before treatment begins.

The consultation fee covers the appointment only; scans, injections and surgery are charged separately.

I am recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna, WPA and Simplyhealth. Self-funding patients receive an itemised quote.

Fees are also published on PHIN.

The cost is made up of separate parts: consultation, scans, surgeon’s fee, hospital fee and anaesthetist’s fee.

Once I have recommended a procedure, the hospital will provide an itemised quote.

Insured patients are usually covered, subject to their policy.

Yes at most. Royal Berkshire, Circle Reading, Dunedin Hospital, Townlands (Henley) and Princess Margaret (Windsor) all have on-site parking. Fortius (London) is best reached by public transport.

Please mention any mobility needs when you book.

Call or WhatsApp +44 730 509 7137 as early as you can.

Where possible, please give at least a day’s notice so the slot can go to someone else who is waiting.

Absolutely.

People seek second opinions for all sorts of reasons: to better understand a diagnosis, discuss whether surgery is really necessary, explore different treatment options or simply feel confident that they are making the right decision.

If you already have clinic letters, X-rays, MRI scans or reports, bring them with you if possible so we can avoid unnecessarily repeating investigations.

Seeking a second opinion does not commit you to having treatment with me.