FAQs

Tell us before the appointment if you need extra time, accessible information, mobility support, hearing or communication support, a quiet arrangement, interpreter support or a chaperone.

We handle information confidentially and share it only where there is a lawful reason, appropriate consent, referral pathway, safety need or professional requirement.

Where appropriate and with the correct consent or lawful basis, relevant results or clinical information can be shared with an NHS GP or another professional involved in care.

Tell us as soon as possible. We take concerns, complaints and compliments seriously and use feedback to improve. The patient rights page explains how to raise a concern.

We offer professional blood collection and selected blood-testing services, including routine health checks, specific panels and point-of-care testing where available and clinically appropriate.

Some tests can be arranged through a private GP consultation or health-check package. Some need a referral or clinical review to make sure the correct test is requested and interpreted safely.

A trained team member takes a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm. Samples are labelled after identity checks and handled through the correct test pathway.

Some tests need fasting and others do not. We tell you before the appointment if fasting is required. Unless told otherwise, drinking water is usually helpful.

Blood tests are generally safe. Some people experience bruising, tenderness, dizziness or faintness. Tell us if you have needle anxiety, fainted before, take blood thinners or have difficult veins.

Timing depends on the test and laboratory pathway. Point-of-care results may be available sooner; laboratory tests may take longer. Results should be reviewed in the right clinical context.

Dental CBCT, also called cone beam CT or 3D dental CT, creates detailed three-dimensional images of teeth, jaws and surrounding structures.

No. CBCT provides 3D information while many routine dental X-Rays are 2D. CBCT can show more detail but uses more radiation than many simple dental X-Rays, so it is used only when the extra information is needed.

Yes. CBCT is not a routine dental screening scan. It needs a clear dental/clinical indication, an appropriate referral and radiation-safety checks.

No special preparation is usually needed. You may be asked to remove glasses, earrings, jewellery, hair clips or removable dental appliances. Tell us if you may be pregnant.

You are positioned carefully, usually standing or sitting still while the scanner rotates around your head. The scan is quick and painless.

Images and reports are usually sent to the referring dentist, implant clinician, orthodontist, oral surgeon or authorised referrer.

DEXA is a bone-density scan that uses low-dose X-Rays to measure bone strength and help assess osteoporosis and fracture risk.

DEXA is commonly used to assess bone density, osteoporosis risk, fracture risk and bone-health monitoring where clinically appropriate.

Usually yes. DEXA involves ionising radiation, so the scan must be clinically appropriate and justified before it is performed.

You can usually eat and drink normally unless told otherwise. Wear comfortable clothing without metal fastenings. Tell us about pregnancy, possible pregnancy, recent contrast imaging or nuclear medicine tests.

You lie on a scanning table while the scanner passes over the measured area, commonly the hip and spine. The scan is painless and you usually remain clothed unless clothing affects the image.

Your result is reviewed and reported through the agreed pathway. It may include bone-density measurements and interpretation for your referring clinician or GP.

We offer private GP consultations, ultrasound, digital X-Ray, DEXA bone-density scanning, Dental CBCT imaging, blood tests, ECG, Echo pathways and selected preventive health checks.

We are at Unit 5, Ground Floor, Fairways Office Park, Oliver’s Place, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9LF.

Use the online appointment request route or call 01772 356631. Some services need referral information, clinical triage or safety screening before an appointment is confirmed.

It depends on the service. Private GP appointments can normally be requested directly. X-Ray, DEXA and Dental CBCT usually need referral or clinical triage because they use ionising radiation. Ultrasound may also need triage for some indications.

This depends on your insurer, your policy and whether pre-authorisation is required. Check this with the insurer before booking. You may remain responsible for any excess, shortfall or non-covered service.

Individual service prices are shown on the relevant service page and preventive package prices are shown on the Preventive Health page. Contact us or request a GP review if you are unsure which service is appropriate.

Bring photo ID if requested, any referral letter/form, relevant reports or imaging, a current medicines/allergies list, required communication or mobility aids, and insurance authorisation details if applicable.

You may usually bring a family member, friend, carer or support person. For X-Ray, DEXA and Dental CBCT, companions normally cannot remain in controlled areas during exposure unless specifically justified and safely managed.

Yes. You can request a chaperone at any time. We routinely offer one for intimate or sensitive examinations. If a suitable chaperone is needed but unavailable, the appointment may be rearranged.

We follow our urgent findings and escalation process. This may include contacting the referrer, advising urgent medical review or directing you to NHS urgent/emergency services where appropriate.

Contact us as early as possible. The Legal, Data and Access page explains the patient-friendly rescheduling, cancellation and refund approach.

They are structured assessments designed to identify selected health risks earlier and support decisions about lifestyle, monitoring or onward care. They may combine clinical assessment, blood tests, imaging and risk review.

Depending on the package, checks may include selected blood markers, blood pressure, body measurements, lifestyle review, GP review, ultrasound, DEXA, ECG, Echo or other investigations where appropriate.

They can assess risk and identify markers that need monitoring or follow-up, but cannot guarantee that a person will or will not develop a condition. Some results can be falsely reassuring or lead to further investigation.

Not always. People may request one because of family history, age, lifestyle, previous results or a wish to understand health risks. New or worrying symptoms may need a GP consultation first.

Where included, results are reviewed with a clinician and explained in context. You may receive advice, follow-up recommendations or referral to an NHS GP, private specialist or urgent-care pathway.

No. Suitability depends on age, symptoms, history, pregnancy status, risk factors and the test being considered. Some tests are not suitable as screening tests and should only be used where clinically indicated.

It is an appointment with a doctor to discuss a health concern, review symptoms, consider options and agree next steps. This may include advice, examination, medication review, private prescription where appropriate, fit note or onward referral.

No. A private GP appointment can normally be requested directly.

A private GP can help with common health concerns, new or ongoing symptoms, medication reviews, health advice, blood-test requests, imaging referrals, fit notes and onward specialist referral where appropriate.

Yes, where clinically appropriate. The GP may arrange blood tests, ultrasound, X-Ray, DEXA or other investigations, subject to separate safety checks and booking availability.

Where clinically appropriate and within the scope of the service. Some medicines, controlled drugs and high-risk prescribing requests may need NHS, specialist or urgent-care review.

Many appointments are around 15–30 minutes, but duration depends on booking type and complexity. Choose an extended appointment for several concerns or complex history.

With your consent, relevant information can be shared with your NHS GP or another health professional involved in your care.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. It does not use ionising radiation and can help assess organs, soft tissues, muscles, tendons, joints, lumps and some causes of pain or swelling.

Services may include abdominal, pelvic, musculoskeletal and soft-tissue ultrasound, depending on clinical suitability and availability.

Ultrasound does not use ionising radiation and is widely used in healthcare. It should still be clinically appropriate for the question being asked.

Preparation depends on the scan. Some abdominal scans require fasting and some pelvic scans require a full bladder. Musculoskeletal and soft-tissue scans may require little or no preparation.

You may lie on an examination couch. Clear gel is applied to the skin and a clinician moves a handheld probe over the area. You may need to change position or hold your breath briefly.

Most ultrasound appointments take around 15–30 minutes, depending on the body area and clinical question.

Your scan is reviewed and reported through the agreed pathway. Results are usually sent to your referrer or authorised clinician. Urgent findings are escalated appropriately.

An X-Ray is a quick imaging test that uses a small amount of ionising radiation to produce images of bones, joints and some internal structures such as the chest.

Yes. X-Ray uses ionising radiation, so the examination must be clinically justified before it is performed. This usually requires a referral from an appropriate professional or clinical triage through Elixier Diagnostics.

X-Rays are only performed when the expected clinical benefit outweighs the small radiation risk. Safety procedures aim to keep dose as low as reasonably practicable while obtaining diagnostic images.

Most X-Rays need little preparation. You may be asked to remove jewellery, watches or clothing with metal. Tell us before the appointment if you are or could be pregnant.

The exposure itself is painless. Positioning can feel uncomfortable if you are already in pain, but staff will help as much as possible.

Yes, where clinically justified. Children are more sensitive to radiation, so examinations are performed only when appropriate with child-specific dose optimisation.

Images are reviewed and reported through the agreed clinical pathway. Urgent findings are escalated according to the urgent findings process.