Health matters
clock cannot rewind, it is possible
to locate doctors who combine
clinical expertise, patient care and
business nouse, such as Dr Tom
Willsher and Dr Stephanie Hughes,
the team behind Winchester GP,
who are supported by practice
manager Gemma Farrand.
Dr Tom came up with the idea
for the private GP practice a year
ago. Based on patient feedback,
he knew that a wholly patientorientated service would appeal
to those dissatisfied with delays
occurring in both investigations
and treatment, for whatever
reason. He took his business plan
to Gemma, who lives nearby, then
Stephanie expressed interest and a
dream became reality.
“We looked at what people
want, and it is for a GP to be
available at all times, offering a
‘pay as you go’ standalone or top
up service, yet one which can
dovetail seamlessly with that of a
current NHS GP. Finally, it had to
be at a reasonable price,” explains
Dr Tom.
Gemma, whose early career was
in the world of corporate finance,
adds: “In London you cannot take
several hours out of the day to
travel across town to your local
GP for a 10-minute appointment,
which is why so many corporates
have private GPs on site.
“Tom’s pioneered something in
patient care which is beginning
to radiate out of London. Since
setting up last year, we have 400
registered patients. Once they have
used us, they keep coming back.”
The team all have young families
and enjoy a happy, quality work/
life balance. Feedback is important
(and it’s very good!) but it’s those
little touches which make the
difference. If there’s a missed call,
for any reason (perhaps out of
hours), Gemma will follow it up.
A call to make sure that an email
referral is being processed has
occasionally resulted in same-day
specialist hospital appointments;
if the slot is free and the patient
‘good to go’ he or she may receive
an instant diagnosis or treatment
plan (depending on the condition).
“There’s no magic formula,”
concludes Dr Tom. “It’s all about
relationships and high quality
prompt care. We work with
NHS colleagues, yet are not a
replacement, rather an optional
bolt-on or a choice for those who
wish to swop to a private GP.
“It’s an exciting time and the
business is growing organically,
due to demand – and our
commitment, which is to provide
the best and recruit the best.”
Dr Tom Willsher studied at St
George’s Hospital Medical School,
Tooting, qualifying in 1996. After
training in surgery specialties he
undertook medical repatriations
and A&E. He was a partner at a
large Hampshire practice until
2014 and maintains an interest in
orthopaedics and psychiatry. Tom
lives near Winchester with his
wife and three boys.
Dr Stephanie Hughes graduated
from Oxford University School of
Medicine in 2000 and has been a
practising GP since 2005, with a
special interest in holistic medicine.
Stephanie lives in Hampshire with
her husband and three daughters
and is ‘Doctor In The House’ on
BBC Radio Solent’s Katie Martin
show.
Gemma Farrand has a degree
in modern languages from St
Edmund Hall, Oxford University,
and has worked as an equities
broker at JP Morgan and
Goldman Sachs. After a career
break to start a family, she trained
in clinical hypnotherapy. Gemma
lives near Winchester with her
husband and three children.
winchestergp.com
• Each consultation lasts 20 minutes in surgery and costs £75.
•The practice is subscription free and open to all.
•Many issues can be resolved in a single appointment.
•Patients are encouraged to keep NHS registration alongside.
32 Resident
Health Matters Resident Aug Sept.indd 32
www.residentmagazine.co.uk
15/07/2016 11:43