Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a GP referral to get an appointment on Cornwall Cardiology Direct with Dr Karikalan Kandasamy?

It is not necessary for you to get a referral from your GP. You can simply click on ‘Book appointment’ and select the time and date most suitable for you. Your GP will get a detailed letter from us regarding your private consultation and also a detailed report regarding our advice and further management plan. You can also request telephone, video or a face-to-face consultation.

If I have a private consultation will I need to continue as private patient?

Once you have had a private consultation, it is your right to transfer back to the NHS for further treatment if you choose to do so. You can do this at any point during your private care.

What happens after I book appointment on the calendar?

After clicking on ‘Book appointment’, you will receive an email confirming the date and time of the appointment. You will receive an email from Dr Karikalan Kandasamy’ Personal Assistant Ms Deborah Dunn within 24 hrs on work days. Deborah will also request further details, such as date of birth, NHS number and address.

Is my data secure?

Once an appointment is booked, all personal data (date of birth, NHS number, address) will be taken and entered onto the Duchy Hospital database. All letters and test results will be stored only on the Duchy Hospital database. Cornwall Cardiologist Direct will not store any of these data.

I am self-payer. How much will it cost for me to have cardiology appointment through Cornwall Cardiologist Direct?

First appointment fee is £250. If you have a face-to-face appointment and we do not have ECG (electrocardiogram, electrical heart trace) available at the time, you will be able to have an ECG done by the Duchy Hospital for a £50 fee. Alternatively, we can ask your GP to do an ECG at your surgery and send it to us in few days.

Following your first appointment, you will have two choices:

  • It is your right to decide to go back into the NHS and have all further tests through the NHS. All tests on the NHS are free of charge.
  • You may prefer to continue tests and follow-up on a private basis.

If you continue private care after first your appointment, the following fees will apply:

Ultrasound investigation of the heart (Echocardiogram) fee is £300. This test will be done at Duchy Hospital and they will charge you on the day of the test.

Cardiac monitoring (24-72 hour ECG) fee is £300. This test will be done at Duchy Hospital and they will charge you on the day of the test.

An exercise treadmill test fee is £300-£450, dependent on whether you require preliminary assessment or not. This test will be done at Duchy Hospital and they will charge you on the day of the test.

A follow-up consultation is £150.

If after the non-invasive tests it appears that you will need further investigations, either invasive or non-invasive, we will provide you with more detailed information. Some of these tests (myocardial perfusion scan or tilt test) are only available on the NHS and are free of charge. Other tests or procedures (invasive coronary angiogram, implantable Loop recorder, pacemaker insertion) can be done on the NHS or privately. The Duchy Hospital provide private self-pay packages for these procedures and we will provide you with full details as required.

 

If you have any queries, please get in touch with us: