Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common patient questions about appointments, fees, insurance and what to expect.
Common questions
No referral is needed if you are paying for yourself — you can book a private appointment directly. If you are using private medical insurance, your insurer may ask for a GP referral before they will authorise your appointment, so it's worth checking with them first.
Dr Franks can usually arrange to see you within 7 days. Urgent same-day telephone consultations can often be arranged when clinically necessary — please get in touch and we will do our best to help.
You can request an appointment through the contact form on our website, or by contacting Dr Franks's PA directly by phone or email (details on the Contact page). We'll then confirm a suitable time with you.
Private consultations are held at Nuffield Health The Manor Hospital, Beech Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7RP.
Yes, these are available on request.
Dr Franks is recognised by all major UK health insurers, including AXA Health, Aviva, Bupa, Vitality, WPA and Allianz.
Yes. Self-funding (self-pay) patients are welcome and no GP referral is required. Details of consultation and test costs are on our Fees page.
A new patient consultation is £300 and a follow-up consultation is £200. Diagnostic test fees are set out on our Fees page, and any test recommended by Dr Franks will be explained and quoted before it is carried out.
Before your appointment, please contact your insurer to confirm your cover and obtain a pre-authorisation code if they require one. Bring your membership number and authorisation code to your appointment so we can process your claim smoothly.
Please bring any GP referral letter (if you have one), a list of your current medications and doses, details of any relevant previous tests or scans, and if you are using insurance, your membership number and pre-authorisation code. If you monitor your own blood pressure, recent readings are helpful too.
Dr Franks will take a detailed history of your symptoms, review your background and medications, and carry out a clinical examination. Depending on your needs, he may arrange diagnostic tests (such as an ECG or echocardiogram) and will explain the findings and any recommended next steps clearly, so you can make informed decisions about your care.
Yes — Dr Franks also practises within the NHS at the John Radcliffe Hospital. NHS appointments are arranged through a referral from your GP or another hospital doctor.