Frequently asked questions
Prime Health is here to keep you well and help you make the right health decisions so we've gathered a list of frequently asked questions about our centres and the wide range of services we provide.
We understand the importance of a fast diagnosis, and we are pleased to be able to offer minimal waiting times for our Cardiac CT Health Check.A member of our bookings team will contact you within 24 hours of your enquiry to conduct a general assessment of your health. Our radiology specialists will then review your medical information and determine whether it is safe for us to carry out the procedure.Once we are confident that we can safely perform the procedure, we will book you an appointment at a time and date convenient to you. This should all take no more than 7 days following your enquiry.
Yes, with our MRI Prostate Health Check, GPs and clinicians can refer their patients for a self-pay prostate MRI scan. According to NICE Guidelines, “In the absence of symptoms, GPs should discuss the pros and cons of PSA tests with the patient. If a subsequent PSA test result shows raised PSA levels, the GP should use their clinical judgement to consider whether a referral is appropriate.”You can either provide your patient with a referral letter and direct them to our website, where they can upload their referral and request a scan. Or you can complete the referral form yourself on their behalf via the Referral page for clinicians on our website. NB: This service is not covered by Private Medical Insurance. Your patient will be charged at the time of booking.
A prostate biopsy is one of the most accurate ways to diagnose prostate cancer. However, because it is an invasive procedure, other screening methods including prostate MRI scan are offered to men.
Following your Cardiac CT Health Check, our cardiologist specialists will write a comprehensive report detailing the results of the scan. The report will be given to you and/or to your GP. If the CT Cardiac Angiogram reveals a condition that needs treatment, our doctor may recommend you urgently consult your GP who will discuss your treatment options on both the NHS and privately.If you choose to be treated privately, we can refer you to a cardiologist at Prime Health for further management of your heart condition (dependent on the condition that is found.)
If your results show you are at risk of prostate cancer or have prostate cancer, you and your GP will be informed and your GP can refer you back into the NHS for further treatment or to a private urologist if you prefer.
A biopsy is undertaken to check for prostate cancer if your MRI results identify potentially cancerous areas that require sampling.For more information about prostate biopsies visit Prostate Cancer UK.
Although an ultrasound of the prostate can detect most cases of prostate cancer with good accuracy, MRI scans are more accurate.
Yes, you can book a Cardiac CT Health Check at Prime Health without a referral.
An MRI scan can be used to produce almost immediate images of the prostate gland and any suspicious areas which can then be examined by a qualified specialist radiographer to give you more insight into what is going on in the prostate.
Most medical insurance companies only fund treatment for patients who have developed symptoms and have a GP or consultant referral. The MRI Prostate Health Check service is open to self-referrals and includes men with no symptoms. It is designed as a health check.
