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11
Jul
Harrogate GPs launch new private practice
Three Harrogate GPs have set up a new private clinic in Follifoot.
Dr Ben Shacklock, Dr Joy Shacklock and Dr Tim Rider all work at the Leeds Road Practice as NHS doctors, but now they have opened Harrogate Private GP at Haggs Farm Business Park on the Rudding Park estate.
Dr Rider told the Stray Ferret:
This is something our patients have been asking for for some time. It differs from our usual work in three main ways. It offers continuity of care, so people can see the same GP every time they come, which means an awful lot to some people.
We can also devote more time to patients. The standard length of an NHS appointment is 12 minutes, and it’s part of a GP’s skill to be able to manage that time. But with this practice we’ll be able to offer much longer appointments.
It also offers more convenience. Between the three of us, we’ve got the whole week covered, and patients won’t have to wait as long for an appointment.
But he said the doctors would still continue working at the Leeds Road Practice. He said:
This is not a replacement for our NHS practice – we're still hugely committed to that. I’m a massive advocate of the NHS. But it’s nice to be able to give some people the choice.
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