BMI Healthcare Opens Self-Pay Centre

BMI Healthcare opens self-pay emergency care centre

BMI Healthcare has opened a 24/7 self-pay emergency care centre at BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital in Harrow, North-West London.

Patients seeking treatment for non-critical accidents and illnesses can walk into the centre without an appointment, pay an initial consultation fee of £47 and be seen within an estimated wait time of 15 minutes.

Services available include treatments for fractures and dislocations, sprains and strains, single limb trauma, chest pains, respiratory conditions, muscular or tendon injuries, infections and inflammations, cuts and grazes and other conditions that need urgent care.

The centre is supported by BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital's consultants and hospital departments, including imaging, physiotherapy, pharmacy and minor procedures. Patients can be booked straight into the hospital if they require admission and agree to self-pay or are pre-authorised by their insurance company.

The centre treats adults and children over three years of age and offers 24 hour access to a consultant paediatrician for specialised advice in children's issues.

Adrian Fawcett, CEO of BMI Healthcare, said: "We are very proud to be the first in the UK to deliver self-pay, round-the-clock emergency care. For patients in and around North-West London who need quick access to care and treatment for non-critical injuries and ailments, the emergency care centre at BMI The Clementine Churchill is a great resource."

Prior to the launch, there have only been sporadic efforts in the private sector to open emergency care centres. They include HCA's urgent care centre at The Princess Grace Hospital in London and Casualty Plus's centres in London and at BMI The Alexandra in Manchester.

Health Insurance Magazine 12 May 2008