Roodlane Medical is a private GP practice with several locations in London.
Having had a good and speedy experience with the location on Baker Street, I decided to dip a bit further and see if they'd be able to address my family's healthcare needs. With a new baby (and frankly, a lack of NHS knowledge), I set out to see if this would work. I researched the doctors at the City practice on New Broad Street, selected one that seemed to focus on pediatrics, and made appointments for both him and myself for 6 weeks post-birth to make sure things were running smoothly.
First, this office is very nice. Well appointed, clean and sharp. The receptionists are smartly dressed and efficient. This office runs on 15 minute appointment slots and is run like a machine. You get in, you get what you need, you get out.
What, unfortunately, you do NOT get is a lot of personalized care and attention to your specific needs. A general overview? Yes. An rx for meds? Yes. A brief consult? Yes. But if you want a professional who is really going to get to know you, care about your health (and your child's health) -- this is definitely not the place.
I went to several appointments for various things that left much to be desired. In one instance the doctor said I needed a butterfly bandage for a wound. She looked for one but could not find one (what?) and then advised me to buy one at Boots and place it on myself. Given the location of this wound (c-section) -- not really possible, this is why I came to the doctor in the first place! If I wanted to be told to go buy my own supplies down the street and administer myself I could just go to NHS. If I'm paying 70 quid for a 15 minute appointment, you better have a damn bandage for godssakes.
In another instance, with my baby, he needed a very basic silver nitrate application to address an umbilical hematoma. They told me that unfortunately, as they don't see a lot of infants, they don't stock silver nitrate sticks (they are SOOOO tiny, stock one!) and that I'd need to visit my GP.
Well, that's the funny part. They bill themselves as being your GP. Upon making an appointment I received no less than 4 emails about their "MY GP" program where you pay up front and then have access at a lower cost. But I left wondering, what ELSE wouldn't they really be able to provide?
*Being 2 weeks post-birth with a newborn baby in the City, I wanted them to just take care of it. I did not want to be bounced back into another system. I ended up taking him to my pediatrician in the States and it was solved within minutes.
So in short, I figured it out. This is an expedient way to be seen if you have something urgent and your GP can't see you quickly enough (need antibiotics, etc), or if you need a referral to a specialist. My experience with one of the doctors was subpar at best. I'm sure it varies based on the consultant.
If you need a real care provider, this is not the place. Know what you need, if its 15 minutes and a quick prescription and that's worth £70, then this will work. read more
