Do you consider yourself a hypochondriac, or do you avoid the doctor ‘like the plague’? What is a ‘normal’ amount of doctor consultations to have per year? This is a question that lots of our patients consider and not least when they are thinking of starting one of our subscriptions. Will they really need 6 appointments in the year? This is the amount we include in a solo subscription)
Of course, in one sense this question is impossible to answer, because none of us has a crystal ball, but still there is ‘method in our madness’, so allow us to show you our workings.
What’s the UK average?
According to a report by the Health Foundation, in 2018/19 there were approximately 307 million GP appointments booked in the UK. With an estimated population of 66.9 million, a simple average comes to 4.6 GP appointments per person per year. So that’s one measure to bear in mind, although we would probably all intuitively agree that there will be certain phases of life that prompt a bit of a flurry of appointments, hopefully balanced out with periods of relative calm.
The first years of life naturally feel like some of the most precarious, and new parents need feel no embarrassment in frequenting their doctors surgery more often as immune systems mature and bugs fly! Meanwhile at the other end of the age spectrum, natural wear and tear makes it more and more likely that your healthcare needs will increase.
So what’s the reasoning behind 6?
Quite simply, we don’t want to be average- we’re aiming for high service, and best possible results
National statistics only tell us what is actually happening, not what is optimal. It doesn’t feel like much of a stretch to assume that difficulty in accessing stretched public services is a significant factor in patients’ behaviour. If you think it’s going to be hard to get an appointment you are less likely to try.
We notice that once our patients have a more generous allowance of appointments, and know that we will pick up the phone quickly and return missed calls promptly, they access our services very readily, and at an earlier stage in their journey. A subscription also really helps from an affordability perspective. With your consultations paid for through a regular monthly direct debit, there’s no need to check your bank balance before calling us to book. And in case there is any doubt, we absolutely love it when our patients consult us early-on - the sooner we are aware of a concern the sooner we can help you stop worrying about it (if it turns out to be benign) or start treating it! A stitch in time really can save nine!
But still! 6 appointments? How would that happen in an average year?
The answer is ‘surprisingly easily’!
1) If you are on any kind of repeat prescription medication then you should be having at least one appointment per yer (sometimes more) to review that medication. Even if you are quite convinced that everything is working fine, medical science moves on, and best practice guidance changes as we continue to learn. It could easily be that an even better solution has come in to circulation, or that a dosing regimen could be modified to your benefit. Your doctors work really hard to stay up to date with all of their CPD, so a review appointment ensures that you get to benefit from their continuous learning.
2) Think proactively, rather than fighting fires!
If you are really serious about maintaining your health for the long term, we think at least 40 minutes (2 appointments) per year are really well spent with your doctor, even if you are feel systemically well. Combined with some broad-based blood tests (like the ones we include in our Enhanced Wellness Screen), it’s a good opportunity to check in, review your family history, your medical history and any specific risk factors that we need to keep an eye on. Don’t forget that your mental wellbeing deserves as much care and attention as your physical wellbeing, and your GP is a great first port of call whenever things feel as though they are getting on top of you. Think of this wellbeing appointment like your healthcare due diligence. Or, if you prefer mechanical analogy, how can it make sense to have more of a ‘plan’ for maintaining your car than your own health?
6-3=3 Now the maths gets quite easy!
So with an annual medication review and a wellbeing review appointment that’s 3 appointments used up and 3 to go. Suddenly a figure that feels very realistic - when you consider the myriad ways in which you can experience a health blip- from the minor but still uncomfortable (we’re thinking urinary tract infections, coughs and colds) through to something that requires more monitoring such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. And then there’s the myriad ways to prang your bones, muscles, tendons and joints (also known as musculo-skeletal injuries) Whatever life throws your way, surely there is reassurance in knowing that you can access prompt face to face care.
The subscription is a money saving ‘magic’ formula also
It’s not just the maths of how many appointments you need that adds up with a subscription. Our packages are priced so that if you use your allowance fully (see above!) you will save around 20% on the cost of consultations. You also get free repeat prescription requests (usually £10 per request). And we haven’t even mentioned that you also get priority access to all of our appointments, including same day, and exclusive access to online booking for face to face appointments.
Still think you don’t need 6 appointments?
If you still want to ‘average down’ the number of appointments per person, take a look at our Nest and Nest Plus subscriptions. You get a higher amount of appointments but can share them with multiple people- and they don’t have to be related to you, or even live at the same address! It can be a great option for multi-generational families, including blended families and precious chicks who have ‘flown the nest’, not to mention small businesses.
Book a ‘discovery call’ and let us find the ideal formula for you!
Did we say too much? Or not enough? We do understand that organising healthcare is not necessarily something you want to have to think too hard about - so let us do the heavy lifting. Simply book a discovery call with one of our patient liason team - tell them exactly what you want to achieve and we’ll be happy to put together a plan for you. The call is free, and you get £10 off your first booked consultation as a thank you for your interest!