FAQ's
How do I make an appointment?
By e-mail: michelleesaw@hotmail.co.uk or markturner45@hotmail.com
By telephone: 01275 853199 (between 0930 and 1500) – we will aim to return messages within 24 hours
By letter: Dr Mark Turner, Consultant Cardiologist, Cardiology Department Level 7, Bristol Heart Institute, Marlborough Street, Bristol. BS2 8HW, or: Spire Hospital Bristol, Redland Hill, Bristol
Some insurance companies require a GP referral, and it is generally preferable to obtain a referral from your GP. However we are happy to see self-referred patients if necessary.
Costs?
Consultation fees – these vary depending on complexity and time required, from £ 100 for very simple enquiries to £ 250 for complex. The average consultation fee is around £ 200.
Investigations
Echocardiography and bubble contrast echo’ – echo only £321, bubble contrast echo £ 400 (this is billed by the Spire Hospital, and is usually the most expensive part of the assessment)
Exercise testing – Spire Bristol invoice for their technician and the use of the equipment (£120) and Dr Turner invoices for supervising and reporting the test (£130).
Rhythm monitoring – this is also billed by the hospital for the equipment and Dr Turner for reporting.
Spirometry – simple lung tests - £ 50
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
Usually no more than 2 weeks. We have clinics on Tuesday evening, Thursday mornings and Friday afternoon and evenings can be arranged on an individual basis if waiting times become too long.
How can I pay?
Spire will take a credit card swipe for the hospital part of the fees when you register with the hospital.
Dr Turner will invoice you and payment can be made by cheque or by direct bank transfer.
How long is the appointment?
This will depend on complexity and the investigations needed. Most divers are assessed in one visit and this is usually one hour to 90 minutes.
Will I have to come back for investigations or procedures?
Dr Turner usually aims to do as much of the assessment as possible in one visit as many patients travel a long way – echocardiography and bubble tests, exercise tests, chest X-rays, ECG monitoring, spirometry and blood tests (rarely needed). However some more complex investigations and treatment has to be booked on another day. This would include; transoesophageal echocardiography, CT scans, MRI scans, heart catheterisation and interventional procedures such as PFO closure and TAVI.