Frequently Asked Questions

The Chiltern Hills Heart Clinic provides you with:

• an expert opinion from Dr Punit Ramrakha, an eminent Consultant Cardiologist

• a rapid and thorough service in comfortable surroundings with experienced staff on hand to put you at ease

• comprehensive screening for heart disease and stroke with state-of-the-art equipment offering a wide repertoire of non-invasive testing

• tests booked together, wherever possible, to reduce the need for repeat visits

We aim to provide an excellent clinical service which is centred on patient needs and accessible to everyone who wishes to attend. We offer a choice of treatments wherever possible and involve patients in decisions regarding their care. Our team respect people’s choices and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Privacy and confidentiality is assured.

The clinic is CQC registered and meets the Care Quality Commission’s Essential Standards of Quality and Safety.  The CQC is an independent healthcare regulator responsible for inspecting the quality of healthcare in the UK.  The results of their latest inspection can be seen here.

• The Clinic is accessible to patients using a wheelchair.

• Reserved disabled parking spaces are available near the main entrance. There is a gentle slope down from the car park to wide automatic doors into Reception.

• Staff are available to help disabled patients access the building or its services if required. Clinical staff will escort patients from the waiting room to the consulting room.

• Guide or other assistance dogs are allowed into the building.

• An Induction Loop system is available for use if required.

• A copy of any of our information in an alternative format, such as large print or audio version, can be provided upon request.

• If you have any other specific requirements or queries, please contact the Practice Secretary who will be happy to help you

Dr Punit Ramrakha will see you without a referral, however, it is always preferable to obtain a referral from your GP if at all possible. This will ensure the Consultant has up-to-date information on your medical condition, medication and medical history. It is also a requirement of many Insurance companies and may affect your claim if you were not referred by your GP.

Consultations can be booked at the BMI Chiltern Hospital at Great Missenden by ringing Appointments on 01494 890890.

Consultations at the Hammersmith Hospital, London, are by arrangement only via the Practice Secretary on 01494 867616.

Tests and procedures can often be booked without a consultation, please contact the Practice Secretary on 01494 867616 to discuss your requirements.

Patients can also use the enquiry form on this website to request an appointment – please click on Contact Us. You will then be contacted to agree a convenient date and time.

Yes. Many tests can be done without the need to have a consultation. These can be booked via the Practice Secretary on 01494 867616. Please call to discuss your requirements.

All test results will be reported by Dr Punit Ramrakha, Consultant Cardiologist, and the results sent to you and your GP.

All tests are reviewed by a Consultant Cardiologist and the results sent to you and your GP as soon as possible.

There is a charge for the Consultation and for each test carried out. Please contact the Practice Secretary on 01494 867616 to discuss your requirements and she will be able to give you an estimate.

This will vary depending on the insurer, the type of policy and its limitations. It is important that you always ring your insurance company in advance of each appointment to keep them informed. Some insurers insist on pre-authorising each of your consultations and tests, others issue a claim number for the duration of your treatment. Pre-authorisation and claim numbers should be given to the hospital or clinic carrying out your treatment.

The Chiltern Hills Heart Clinic is an independent clinic and will invoice you or your Insurance company for Dr Ramrakha’s consultation, reporting and procedure fees plus the facilities fees on any tests carried out at the clinic only. If you have had blood tests, radiology, inpatient treatment or any other investigations via our Hospital partners, they will invoice their fees separately.

Yes, many of our patients pay for their own treatment. The Chiltern Hills Heart Clinic will invoice you after your treatment giving details of how to pay. We accept payment by cheque or direct bank transfer. When you come for your appointment, please ensure you tell the doctor on arrival if you wish to limit your treatment to a consultation or a test only.

We can accept payment of the Consultant and Clinic Fees by either cheque or direct bank transfer. We do not accept credit or debit card payments.

Some of our Hospital partners do offer credit card or pre-payment card options and do ask for your card details on your first visit to their Hospital. As we are an independent company, they cannot accept credit card payments on our behalf

Yes, please contact the Practice Secretary on 01494 867616 to discuss your requirements. In many cases, it is not necessary for you to have a repeat consultation prior to your test or procedure.

Any patient seen privately is entitled to subsequently change their status and seek treatment as an NHS patient, on exactly the same basis of clinical need as any other patient. Please speak to your GP to discuss your options.

Your treatment with us will be on a private basis, including the cost of your medication, until your GP takes over your care. This is usually upon receipt of the consultant’s letter following your consultation. An initial private prescription cannot be converted to an NHS prescription but your GP may agree to prescribe repeat medication if the drug is available on the NHS.

We are always pleased to receive feedback on our services and use all the comments we receive to improve our service to better suit you. If you have any suggestions relating to our service or experience any problems relating to your care please contact us or complete our Patient Satisfaction Survey form. If the member of staff you speak to is unable to deal with the problem, they will refer the matter to the Consultant. We hope to resolve any problems quickly and informally but if you are still unhappy, we have a formal procedure for dealing with complaints and would be happy to provide you with further information and brochure if required.