Exeter Medical opened in 2007 as a private healthcare facility for insured and self-paying patients seeking treatment for a wide variety of conditions under the care of consultants in plastic surgery and dermatology.
Since 2008, we have been able to extend our services to NHS patients and have been providing them with the same high-quality care in a modern clean environment, fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Our consultants all hold or have held substantive appointments in the NHS and our nurses are all similarly registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, having received extensive training in the areas of their expertise. At Exeter Medical we recognise the importance of client and patient confidentiality at all times and will endeavour to make your treatment with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
NHS patients are often given the opportunity to see a consultant and have their treatment at Exeter Medical because we can make appointments available for them at relatively short notice.
GPs can refer via the Devon Referral Support Service which is administered by NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB). This identifies where patients can see a consultant with the least delay.
Exeter Medical is now a well-established provider of out-patient surgical and laser services to people living in Devon, having worked closely with GPs and the ICB over the past fifteen years.
What kind of NHS treatment is available at Exeter Medical?
Exeter Medical are happy to see and treat NHS patients for a wide range of problems mainly related to possible skin cancers. In addition, we perform minor day case surgery to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ‘trigger finger’. We also provide a non-scalpel vasectomy service.
Exeter Medical is also home to a medical laser service which provides state-of-the-art laser treatments for a range of vascular and pigmented lesions. Exeter Medical also provides a hair removal service. (All treatment is based on criteria having been met or prior approval for funding having been allocated)
Exeter Medical is happy to see and treat patients on the NHS for the excision and reconstruction of suspected skin cancers and other skin lesions within NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) approval processes.
We also undertake minor day case hand surgery to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.
We are occasionally asked to see and treat patients when hospitals run into waiting list problems and struggle to meet government targets; or by primary care trusts at times when demand for treatment is high. Under these circumstances, you may be contacted by the hospital or by your local ICB to ask you if you would be happy to be treated at Exeter Medical.
Alternatively, patients can be referred directly by their GP to see one of our consultants, all of whom hold or have held substantive posts in the NHS, in much the same way as you would be referred to any other NHS clinic.
Some patients who are taking blood thinning medication such as warfarin or clopidogrel may need to stop this for a few days before surgery. However, it is important that you do not stop taking any medication unless requested to do so either by one of our consultants or by your GP. Aspirin is not generally a problem and patients can continue to take this as normal.
After surgery you may be asked to arrange a follow-up with your GP or practice nurse, although we may need to see you again at Exeter Medical depending upon what you have had done. We will, of course, advise you about this on the day of your surgery.
We regularly conduct patient satisfaction surveys and so far, our results have always been exemplary. Patient questionnaires are available to all patients on the day of their treatment, and we welcome all feedback – good or bad. We are always happy to listen to any concerns or suggestions for improvement. We are happy to share these results, and those from our clinical audits.
Waiting times
In line with the NHS Constitution we aim to treat all patients within a maximum of 18 weeks of receiving your referral letter from your GP (General Practitioner). Unfortunately this is not always possible in some cases, but patients are offered the earliest date available with an appropriate Consultant.
Click here to see the Ramsay Health Care UK Access Policy
