Amid continuing concerns about shortages of GPs, appointment slots, and diagnostic services, Meyer Clinic, a private clinic based in Chichester, has invested in extending its capacity. It offers varied health-focused treatments, tests, and specialist hormonal analytics, with private GP services available two to three days per week.
Local politicians have labelled the lack of GP spaces in Sussex a crisis. Insufficient GPs or surgeries, unprecedented pressure on local health services, and limited resources and facilities are spurring more and more people to turn to private alternatives to seek the help they need.
Understanding the Challenges in Public Sector Healthcare in West Sussex
Part of the demand for private medical support services relates to availability. Many GP surgeries have absorbed patients from closing practices, meaning one professional may be trying to accommodate the needs of huge caseloads, with the average appointment time for those that can find one as little as 9.2 minutes.
West Sussex is only one of the many badly hit regions, with 2,000 to 2,499 patients to every individual GP according to BBC data, contributing to the record-low NHS satisfaction rating of 34% - and one in six patients is left waiting over two weeks for an appointment.
A secondary difficulty is that, while registering with a GP and managing to secure an appointment can be tricky, the resources available are limited.
Brief consultations may be far from sufficient to enable a patient to discuss their concerns, review their medical history, and make key decisions about the tests, medications, procedures, or referrals that may be appropriate for them.
Scarcity in resources and funding can mean patients feel unseen and unheard. Many decide to take their health and well-being into their own hands if, for instance, they are unhappy with a prescription that isn’t wholly suited to them or haven’t been able to find any real resolution to ongoing challenges that are impacting their well-being, energy levels or overall health.
The Emergence of Private Health and Wellness Specialists to Reinforce Access to Healthcare
Separate research shows that as many as 75% of all adults under 34 consider private healthcare a positive and accessible alternative, and four in ten people aged 18 to 24 already have visited a private practitioner or clinic.
This is thought to be down to a proactive attitude and search for immediacy, with younger demographics less prepared to settle for long waiting times, be satisfied with a brief appointment slot, or accept that limited support is an acceptable outcome.
Meyer Clinic, an award-winning team providing a range of services from aesthetics and beauty treatments to well-being and hormonal balancing therapies and medical testing services, is one of those who has stepped in to ensure there is always a readily available, professional, and high-quality alternative.
Dr Annelize Meyer, Clinic Founder and Medical Director of Meyer Clinic says, ‘Our approach, across our specialisms, expertise and clinical know-how is on holistic, 360-degree healthcare and individualised support. That is because addressing an issue or concern in isolation may ignore underlying factors or have a limited effect on a patient’s long-term well-being, self-esteem and welfare.
For example, a client with a digestive complaint may benefit from a cohesive healthcare strategy that blends hormonal, intolerance, and allergy testing with advanced cancer screenings, microbiome checks, and in-person consultations to explore any potential autoimmune condition that could be contributing to their symptoms.
This philosophy not only means our clinicians and practitioners have an excellent chance of uncovering the key reasons for a complaint or concern but can also create ongoing support services, therapies, and follow-up testing.
We ensure every client is supported and can continue to consult an independent, dedicated professional to help them restore balance, health, and wellness.’
Medical and Healthcare Services Offered by Meyer Clinic’s Chichester Practice
As a CQC-regulated provider, the clinic provides a broad scope of services, with a focus on preventative treatments, cutting-edge diagnostics, and customised treatment plans. Meyer Clinic has also recently expanded its team, welcoming a registered GP who offers appointments two days per week with the potential to further extend this to include Saturday consultations.
These range from the tests and screening services mentioned to cutting-edge facial and body analytics, nutritional planning, blood testing services, vitamin injections, and IV intravenous drips.
Meyer Clinic also offers specific services that blend preventative healthcare with aesthetics, such as screening and removal of moles, targeted treatments to assist with thread veins and hair loss, and injectable therapies to address teeth grinding.
Prospective new clients interested in learning more can review a more detailed list of services and medical checks available through Meyer Clinic’s website or book an initial consultation to speak to a GP, Dr Meyer or one of the centre’s therapists in person or online, according to their preferences.
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About Meyer Clinic
Meyer Clinic is a private health, wellbeing and aesthetics clinic in Chichester, helping our patients lead empowered lives by ensuring we take a 360-degree full-body approach to health & wellness.
Media Contact:
Jemma Parnell
01243 771455
https://www.meyerclinic.co.uk
