The prices quoted below can only be treated as a guide price until you have been seen by a McIndoe Consultant and had a thorough medical consultation. The cost of an appointment to see a qualified surgeon (the initial consultation) when booked through The McIndoe Centre Helpline is £110*. However, the initial consultation for varicose veins will cost £200 and includes a Venous Duplex Ultrasound scan. Only when you have had a consultation can your consultant surgeon truly understand what you would like to achieve and discuss with you how this can be achieved. Please note where a patient requires more than one procedure the second and subsequent procedures will be offered at a reduced cost.

NHS appointments can be booked via the NHS e-Referral Service. If you would like to be referred to The McIndoe Centre, you can ask your GP.

In most cases, you have the legal right to choose the hospital or service you'd like to go to. This will include many private hospitals, as long as they provide services to the NHS.

To make sure you feel supported in your decision, your GP will:

• Discuss the available options from the list of services;
• Book the appointment directly, if you need support or where the referral is for an urgent or 'Two Week Wait' appointment.

For all other referrals and scenarios referrers must initiate the referral within NHS Referrals and either:

• Book the appointment directly with you, providing you with the Appointment Details letter, or
• Provide you with an Appointment Request letter and password to allow you to make the booking at their convenience.

If, as the patient, you would like to manage your appointment, you will need:

• The booking reference number stated on the booking letter;
• The password you received from your referrer (e.g. GP practice).

Go to NHS e-Referral Service website and click the 'Start now' button to:

• Check your appointment details;
• Change your appointment;
• Cancel your appointment;
• Cancel your referral.

At The McIndoe Centre we welcome patients from all major insurers. If you have private medical insurance, either your own policy or as part of a company scheme, you may be surprised at how many services and treatments are available at our hospital.

In addition to major treatments or operations, your insurance can be used for diagnostics such as x-rays and scans, a visit to a consultant or even physiotherapy. With private medical insurance you can arrange the treatment you need at a time to suit you.

All you need to do is follow the 5 simple steps below and you could be receiving treatment quicker than you think.

 1  Check you’re covered

Before you receive any treatment privately, call your insurer and they will give you all the guidance you need to confirm you are covered and if necessary send you a claims form.

2  Getting a referral

Most medical treatments start with a referral to a specialist from your GP. This may involve your GP signing a claim form and may incur a small fee which is not covered by your insurance.

3  Seeing the specialist

Your specialist will decide the best way forward for you and this can include tests, admission for a stay in hospital, treatment that can be carried out as a day patient or even an outpatient procedure. Remember to stay in contact with your insurer to confirm that your treatment is covered.

4  Arranging treatment

Whether you require a simple outpatient procedure or need major surgery you can access treatment with very little waiting times. So you can choose a time convenient to you.

5  Who pays the bill?

The McIndoe Centre and some specialists deal directly with your insurance company but other consultants will send the bill directly to you. Your insurance company will tell you how they will pay your claim.

Private Medical Insurance (PMI) providers

The McIndoe Centre provides treatment to patients that hold policies with most major private medical insurance (PMI) providers. (We do not offer our own medical insurance scheme) The best place for independent advice on PMI is the Association of British Insurers (ABI). All reputable insurance companies are members. The ABI publish a free guide to purchasing medical insurance, designed to help you understand more about how private medical insurance works, so that you can make an informed choice before buying a policy.

If you do opt to take private medical insurance, do remember to check beforehand any test or procedure at The McIndoe Centre would be covered in their scheme.

Our prices will include the cost of the surgeon to perform your surgery, the anaesthetic fee and the hospital charges associated with your procedure(s).