A number of the services that we are regularly asked to provide are not covered by the NHS and it might be helpful for you to know what these are: 

• Medical Examination - If undertaken for insurance purposes, Heavy Goods Vehicle Licence, Fitness to Drive, Fitness to undertake certain sports, Pre-Employment etc.  Please ask to see our scale of charges. 
• Medical Reports for Insurance Companies (without examination) - If your insurance company requests such a report it will be based on an examination of your medical record.  If you have indicated that you wish to see the report before it is sent, you will need to arrange with the Secretary to call and view it. Alternatively, we can send you your own copy, but will charge you a fee for this service. 
• Medical Reports for Solicitors (with or without examination) - Your written permission is required and although your solicitor will normally obtain this in advance we as a Practice will request your written permission.  Please note that upon receipt of your written consent we will request full payment by the solicitor in advance of either preparing a medico-legal report or undertaking the photocopy of your full medical record. 
• Providing non-statutory medical certificates - Private medical certificates, holiday cancellation, fitness to travel & Private Health Insurance.

We do not act as passport counter-signatories within Forestside Medical Practice. 

In order for us to proceed we will need you to leave your forms with the practice secretary who will then speak to your GP and see whether he/she is happy to complete the above and which of the three options is necessary set against your medical records and any clinical conditions you may have.

Please ask at reception for our fees and charges for non-NHS work

Two private counsellors are based within Forestside Medical Practice and offer a confidential service which is based at the Marchwood Surgery and open to all Patients at a cost, within the local community. Trained and experienced to a high level, they are accredited members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, whose code of ethics they adhere to.

There are many reasons for seeking counselling – research suggests as many as one in three Patients visiting their GP could benefit from having someone to talk to about issues that may be affecting their well-being. This could range from having suffered a loss or bereavement, feelings of anxiety or depression, difficulty with relationships or perhaps having to cope with complex medical problems either personally, or with a relative. Anti-depressants may have been prescribed in order to help cope with particular problems: this can often provide the ‘breathing space’ needed to explore with a counsellor deeper issues that may be affecting the ability to live a fulfilling life.

You can either be referred by your GP or contact the counsellors directly for an initial meeting, where you will have the opportunity to find out whether therapy might be helpful to you. Sessions last for 50 minutes and there is no limit set on the number of sessions you may need.

For more information please call them directly on:-

• Helen Clifford: 07773 165859
• Jo Bisseker Barr: 023 8028 3167 / 07963 592698

Please be aware they do charge to provide this service.