FAQs

Breakspear Hospital

The questions below have all been asked recently. If you do not see your question, please write info@breakspearmedical.com and ask directly.

1. How can I get a referral to Breakspear Hospital?

   Breakspear Hospital is a private hospital and that means we are open to everyone. You may request a referral from your GP, from your private physician or simply call and make an appointment directly. Note: to be considered for NHS funding, you must have the approval and support of your GP.

2. How much does it cost to be treated at Breakspear Hospital?

   Each patient has different needs and requires case-specific examinations, tests, treatments and follow-up programmes. (For our latest general price list, see Patient Information.) After your initial consultation, a treatment programme will be drawn up on the patient management sheet and the Accounts staff will then explain the costs involved and your course of action, which will be agreed prior to treatment commencing.To be considered for NHS funding, you must have the approval and support of your GP. Insurance company funding must be claimed by the patient individually and the Hospital will expect payment on receipt of invoice by the patient, regardless of agreement to pay by insurers.  For more information, see Patient Information.

3. I have suffered with M.E. for 10 years and have just learned about the work you do with CFS/ME patients. Can you please tell me how I go about getting treatment from your medical group?

   It is as simple as dialing +44 (0) 1442 261 333, selecting Option 3, and booking a consultation. After your initial consultation, a treatment programme will be drawn up on the patient management sheet and your course of action will be agreed prior to treatment commencing. Please visit our webpage, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis for more information on your condition.  Breakspear has published a 20-page "CFS/ME Treatment Programme" which is available upon request. This booklet provides information on the causes of CFS/ME and descriptions of the investigations and nutritional supplements prescribed for a successful treatment programme.

4. I work during the week. Can I receive treatment at the weekend?

   Breakspear Hospital is a day patient clinic, open 9:00 – 5:00 Monday to Saturday, excluding public bank holidays. Consultations with physicians are conducted Monday to Friday and service for allergy treatments and immunisations are performed Monday to Saturday. Note: some hospital services are limited on Saturdays.

5. Where can I stay overnight when I'm attending the hospital for testing?

   Because Breakspear Hospital is a day patient unit, out of town patients receiving treatment may wish to stay overnight in the Hemel Hempstead area. As we are dedicated to the treatment of allergy and environmental illness, we offer patients accommodations in our guesthouse, which is free of pesticides, mainstream commercial cleaning products, new particle board and other commonly allergenic materials. The guesthouse has 7 bedrooms and 3 shared bathrooms. Bookings are subject to availability and may be booked through Breakspear reception +44 (0) 1442 261 333 ext. 300.

6. Why does Breakspear offer single Measles, Rubella and Mumps vaccines when the hospital specialises in allergy and environmental medicine?

   We offer the individual vaccinations for measles, rubella and, when available, mumps because we believe you should have the right to choose what is best for you and your child and we believe it is best to give the immunisations separately to reduce the burden on the immune system and reduce the risk of complications. Although it is possible that child/adults will become immune to all 3 diseases with one injection, this includes the risk of overburdening his or her immune system, which could lead to serious side effects, including new food sensitivities and bowel disease. If you suspect that you/your child has a sensitivity or reaction to eggs, we offer a desensitising programme prior to receiving the single vaccinations of measles, rubella and mumps.  (Mumps vaccines for both single and MMR triple vaccinations are cultured on chick embryo cell cultures.) More information is available in our Individual MMR Vaccines section.

7. I've heard your clinic practices "alternative medicine". Are your practitioners qualified?

   Our practitioners are all registered doctors. See Our Team for a biography on each practitioner. Also, our nurses are fully qualified and have been specially trained in low-dose immunotherapy allergy testing. The hospital is registered with the Healthcare Commission (registration number: C010000662). Note: 1 April 2009 - The Healthcare Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act Commission ceased to exist on 31 March 2009.

   The Care Quality Commission is the new health and social care regulator for England. Their new web address is www.cqc.org.uk. As new registration details become available, they will be posted.

8. How much do the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines cost? 

   Measles and Rubella vaccinations are £90 each and when the Mumps vaccination is available, it has been priced at £120.  All are payable on the day of the appointment.  Normally, if all 3 vaccines are paid for in advance during the first visit, you pay only £270.*  Visit our single Measles, Rubella and Mumps vaccinations page for more information.

If you would like to share your experiences with other people suffering from allergies and environmental illnesses, visit Breakspear Hospital's blog page.

Learn more about which treatments and services Breakspear Hospital offers

• Learn about allergy and environmental illness by understanding The Load Phenomenon.
• Read more about the different ways to test for allergy and sensitivity by going to our simple explanations of How allergy and sensitivity are tested.
• Our section Allergy/sensitivity explained provides more information on what allergies/sensitivities are.
• Learn about the on-going damage that allergy/sensitivity can cause.
• For more information on antigen vaccines, which are part of the allergen-specific immunotherapy programme, see How antigen vaccines work.
• For more information on antigen vaccines, which are part of the allergen-specific immunotherapy programme, see How antigen vaccines work.
• For our latest price list, see Patient Information or if you have any specific questions regarding prices, estimates and treatment programmes, please contact one of our Patient Liaison Officers, by phone 01442 261 333 ext. 293, or email: liaison@breakspearmedical.com.
• Contact Us for directions and further information.