CGP only offers face to face GP consultations as we feel this is how we can best provide care. We consult for any general practice medical conditions, with exceptions as below. We welcome all patients - please see our section on getting the most out of your appointment.

Standard appointments are 30 minutes long. This is enough time to get to know you and deal with one major problem well, refer you if needed and take a blood test if required.

If you have visited us before and so you are known to the service, then 30 minutes is enough time to deal with two small problems, but not two major issues.

You may wish to book longer appointments if you have complex issues, or multiple problems to discuss.

15 minute follow up appointments are only suitable to discuss results or manage simple matters for existing patients.

If in doubt, please ask in advance.

A private GP opinion, a consultant referral letter, a prescription, a sick note and the taking of a blood test is included with a 30 minute or longer consultation. Not all items may be required for every patient.

Blood tests are charged based on the cost of the test, payment is taken at the time of consultation/blood taking. Scans are payable directly to the scan company.

A 15 minute consultation is for a follow up or simple matter only and does not include the above.

We do not provide emergency care - please contact 999 or attend the emergency department for emergencies. We can assist with urgent matters requiring attention on the day, provided you are safe to wait until your appointment time, which may be in the evening.

CGP cannot see patients from Leckhampton surgery, due to a conflict of interest with Dr Hall’s NHS practice.

CGGP cannot provide opiates or gabapentinoids, ADHD medication (or any other schedule 2 or 3 controlled drugs). We do not provide schedule 4 controlled drugs (benzodiazepines or sleeping tablets) without very clear reason. If this is the reason for your attendance please notify us in advance to avoid disappointment. We are happy to discuss this in advance of your appointment.

CGP does not provide treatments which do not have a clear basis of medical evidence. We provide high quality evidence based medicine.

Please note that we do not have access to your NHS medical notes, so you will get a fresh view. Please be prepared to tell the GP about your past medical problems, and what your current concerns are. Please bring as much information with you as possible, as this may save you time and cost. If we can access your medical record we will ask you to sign a consent form to allow us to view this.

Tests are only arranged if needed. CGP does not arrange unnecessary costly testing. If required, blood tests can be taken in our office during consultation. Imaging (CT/MRI/Ultrasound/Xray) can be arranged at the COBALT unit or Nuffield/Winfield Hospitals.

There is no getting around the fact that medical testing is expensive, often far more costly than our consultation fees. A full list of costs is on the charges section of our website. The cost of tests is subject to change at short notice.

COBALT unit scan cost

Many patients have already had tests in the NHS, and just wish to discuss them. CGP cannot refer you easily into NHS testing directly - if you wish we can attempt this, but the NHS will often reject these requests.

Yes. You are free to suggest a private consultant, or we can suggest one for you.

We can try. The NHS will sometimes reject referrals from private providers, despite the NHS contract indicating that referral from the private sector is permitted. This situation is improving rapidly.

A private prescription is included in your consultation and will be provided on paper at the time of your consultation. It can be claimed at any pharmacy. You will need to pay for the cost of the medication, and a dispensing fee to the pharmacist. CGP prescribes low cost medication wherever possible and adheres to the Gloucestershire NHS primary care formulary, unless the patient wishes us to deviate from it - this means your GP may well be comfortable with any medication choices we make.

We are partnered with Hands on wellbeing in Cheltenham. Please see our contact page for location details.

We have an expanding appointment schedule. Currently appointments are available on Tuesday morning and by request most evenings.

Hands on wellbeing, 32 Portland St, has parking for patients. If this is full then there is a large public paid car park next door. The road is one way and the entrance is a little tight, so please take care.

Payment is taken at the point of booking, or at the end of the consultation. We accept contactless credit/debit cards and Google/Apple pay. You will be asked to pay using contactless means, or via a web form on your phone if the amount exceeds contactless limits

The format of the consultation will be familiar to you from NHS consultations. However, at the outset you will be asked about your past medical history in detail. You will have much more time to discuss your concerns, you can chose the duration based on how many concerns you would like to discuss.

Please bring a list of any medications you take, or please bring the medication. If you wish to discuss previous medical investigations or conditions please be ready to share details from your NHS app. If you can bring a print our of your medical notes from your GP that would be helpful - you could ask for a ‘visit summary’. Please bring any consultant letters you have access to.