Yattendon medical clinic opens new General Practice

A Yattendon company says it is expanding to be able to “give people access to a GP” without a wait.

Gecko Fitness, a health and fitness clinic which has been in operation for over 20 years, has welcomed a new addition to its team.

Rachel Rowe has joined the company as a general practitioner, a step forward for the clinic as it aims to consolidate all of its services, which include massage therapy, osteopathy and physiotherapy, under one roof.

Dr Rowe has more than 20 years of medical experience. She currently balances her time between working as a GP for the NHS in Hungerford and offering face to face consultations at Gecko on Mondays and Thursdays.

“We want to give people access to a GP where they don’t have to wait,” she says.

“But primarily, we’re part of the clinic here and offer different joint injections that aren’t available on the NHS, so it’s an addition.”

Dr Rowe added that private care does not mean taking work from or providing an alternative to the NHS, but rather sees it as alleviating strain and complementing existing NHS services.

Practice manager and registered osteopath Kadi Pariis echoed her points.

She explained the benefits of having their own GP, saying this limits the number of referrals they have to make elsewhere, which became more frequent after the pandemic.

“A couple of weeks ago, we had a patient that came to me with a bad pelvic pain,” she says.

“But it was actually more a medical reason and having Dr Rachel next door, she could actually come and have a look and re-diagnose the patient.

“She got her the medication and she was better in 48 hours.”

The clinic said it sees hundreds of clients, from HGV drivers to professional athletes, each week.

The General Practice, registered by the Care Quality Commission since March, is also growing in popularity within the local area.

Regular client Nancy Massy-Collier, from Chapel Row, said: “I’ve seen Rachel once because I have arthritis in my knees and I’m in the middle of NHS stuff.

“I just wanted an overview from someone who had time to talk to me calmly about what my options might be.”

Does she see private care as an alternative to the NHS?

She added: “I think it [private care] is hugely complementary actually. I think if you’re interested in your health, which you should be as you get older, you put yourself first and go wherever you can get the best care.

“I really respect what Gecko do and if they think there’s a need to have a GP, they’re probably right.”

Founder and performance director, Aynsley Fry, added: “If Covid has done anything, it has brought people’s health to the forefront.

“Where it will go, I don’t know. But I think it’s going to be extremely popular.”