How do I find an approved consultant?

What does ‘approved consultant’ mean?

Put simply, an approved consultant is a fully trained doctor specialising in a specific field of medicine who is registered to practise. All consultants must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) before they can legally carry out treatments. An insurance approved consultant is someone who’s been recognised and ‘approved’ by an insurance company to carry out healthcare treatments. So for example, if you hold a healthcare policy with AXA insurance, you’ll need to choose a consultant on their approved list to carry out your treatment.

Why choosing an approved consultant matters

Choosing the right surgeon for your treatment is important business. Not only do you need to make sure your consultant has the right level of experience, you also need to consider the financial side. An approved consultant gives you the assurance that the healthcare provider you’ve chosen is not only qualified to carry out your treatment but the right choice for you.

On the other side of the coin, consultants also enjoy benefits from being approved by insurers. The main ones being:

• Improved reputation among peers and patients
• Additional business which leads to improved knowledge and experience.

Steps to finding an approved consultant

So, we’ve looked at what an approved consultant is, the next step is to find one. The following steps guide you through the process of choosing the right one for your specific treatment needs.

1. Check their registration with regulatory bodies

As mentioned previously, all practising consultants must be registered with the GMC as a legal requirement. However, it’s worth checking whether your chosen consultant is registered with any others. Ones to check are the General Dental Council (GDC), General Optical Council (GOC) if you need dental or eye treatments. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a useful source when it comes to researching the reputation of a hospital or healthcare provider. It is an independent regulator of care services in the UK.

2. Verify their membership to professional associations

In the medical world, consultants can become members or fellows of professional bodies and societies. These are highly valuable and offer professional recognition while demonstrating a consultant’s ongoing contribution to their specific field of medicine.

While there are many in the UK, some of the most acclaimed medical societies include:

• Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• Royal College of Surgeons
• British Orthopaedic Association.

3. Search trusted directories

While looking for an approved consultant, directories can be extremely useful. The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) is a great resource to use during your search for consultants. It includes information such as patient feedback, contact info, and what the consultant charges for their services.

4. Review their credentials and experience

A consultant that may specialise in the field of medicine but doesn’t necessarily have experience in carrying out the specific treatment you need probably won’t be the right choice for you. Because of this, it’s really important to check out a consultant’s qualifications and experience. Pay particular attention to how many procedures they carry out over the course of a year and whether they’re registered with any professional bodies or associations within their field.

The following resources will help you find consultants in the following fields:

• Find hip consultants
• Find knee consultants
• Find cataract consultants

5. Seek recommendations or reviews

While the hugely successful 19th century showman P.T. Barnum seemed to think there was “no such thing as bad publicity”, when it comes to choosing consultants, this is very much not the case. Word of mouth is just as powerful as professional validation, so be sure to look at what past patients have said about your consultant of choice.

How do I find an approved consultant on the NHS?

If you’re seeking treatment from an approved consultant within the NHS, the process is as follows:

1 – You need a referral from your GP
2 – Once you have a referral, your GP will then be able to draw up a shortlist of approved consultants. This will be based on location, recommendation, and availability.

To book an appointment with the consultant of your choosing, you can use the NHS e-Referral Service.

Tips for finding a private consultant in the UK

There’s plenty to think about when it comes to choosing a consultant for your treatment. Here’s a handy list to get you feeling prepared and ready to make the right choice.

1 – Clarify exactly what you’re looking for in a potential consultant
2 – Check their qualifications and accreditations
3 – Read reviews from past patients
4 – Shop around to explore the different costs of treatment
5 – Check your potential consultant adheres to regulatory guidelines.

How to find a consultant approved by your medical insurer

If you have a healthcare policy, your insurance provider will have a list of consultants they’ve approved to carry out certain medical treatments. If you’re an NHS patient, you’ll first need a GP referral. Your GP will then be able to produce a shortlist of approved consultant candidates that you can discuss with him or her before making your decision.

If however, you’re seeking treatment through private medical insurance, you’ll need to do your own research. This isn’t as taxing as it sounds and, as always, Wellsoon has your back! On our Consultants page, you can filter by insurance provider to make your search even easier!

---

Red flags to watch out for

Unfortunately, as with most areas of life, there are untrustworthy consultants out there in the medical world. Here are some red flags to help you spot the warning signs:

• The consultant isn’t registered to a regulatory body
• The consultant has several negative reviews from past patients
• The consultant (or their website) creates a sense of urgency and presses potential patients into making a quick, uninformed decision
• There‘s a lack of transparency with the cost of treatment.

---

Find an approved consultant near you

Choosing an approved consultant for your surgery doesn’t have to be stressful. Remember to trust your instincts and choose a consultant that makes you feel confident and cared for.

From joint replacement to eye surgery, our first-class consultants provide healthcare for a range of specialities. All of our consultants are registered, approved, and experienced. You can search by language, treatment, and location on our website to find a selection of specialists near you.

With the right consultant by your side, you can focus on recovery and getting back to the things you love.