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About Your Visit

Clinics

Bill sees patients in the outpatient setting of The Three Shires Hospital in Northampton and Bloom Health in Milton Keynes. He also undertakes injecting lists at The Back & Body Clinic in Moulton on request.

Bill is happy to see patients with a range of medical conditions, but his practice is predominantly Knee, Foot and Ankle and Sports-related injuries.

Around 40% of patients travel from outside of Northamptonshire for appointments and over a quarter of patients attend for second opinions having seen a Consultant elsewhere with their problem.

Bill’s PA, Caroline (01604 795414 or mobile 07563425286) will be happy to arrange an appointment for you. It is desirable for your appointment request to be accompanied by a referral letter from your GP or treating Physiotherapist.

About your visit

He was caring and brilliant and got the time frame right

— Jessica Ennis. 2012 Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medalist

  • Imaging

    Part of your management and assessment may include imaging, e.g. X-rays, Ultrasound scans, MRI scans and CT scans. Bill has close links with Radiologists in all parts of the country, who have specific expertise in specialist areas. Bill will advise you on the appropriate Imaging form, Centre, and, if, necessary Radiologist, to investigate your condition. The images from most centres in the country can be electronically transferred for Bill to review.

  • Insurance Companies and Self-funding

    Bill sees patients privately who either are self-funding or privately insured. Bill is recognised by all the major healthcare insurance providers, but you are advised to check with your insurer before making an appointment or arranging any onward investigations or treatments,

    The patient is responsible for ALL of their Consultant’s fees even if you have health insurance and that YOU have the financial contract with your surgeon not your insurance company- this is explained well in the FIPO website

    New Patient Consultation (or previously registered patients not seen for over 6 months):

    • ≤ 30 minutes – £250
    • ≤ 45 minutes (e.g. for second opinion, complex problems, etc) – £300

    Follow up Consultation:

    • ≤ 20 minutes – £150 plus any fees for removal of stitches, casts, wires etc.
    • ≥ 20 minutes – £220 plus any fees for removal of stitches, casts, wires etc

    If joint consultations are arranged with Prof Ribbans and another Consultant/Clinician, both parties will normally charge a consultation fee.

    Health Insurance Companies vary enormously regarding elements of patient care that they will remunerate. There may be variations between specific policies for the same company.  Similarly, over the last few years insurance companies have varied in the amount they will cover for consultation fees with some willing to fund more than my standard fee and others paying less.  I have therefore taken the decision to charge my fees as outlined above regardless of whether insurance companies would be willing to pay more or if they are unwilling to meet my fee in full.  Unfortunately for patients insured with companies paying less, for instance AXA PPP or any of its subsidiaries, this may result in a shortfall for which the patient will be liable.  I do apologise in advance for this but feel it is fairer for me to charge every patient I see the same amount irrespective of whether they have health insurance or not and which company they are insured with.

  • Bill has undertaken Medico-legal work in conjunction with legal firms since 1985. He has experience of both Personal Injury Assessment and Clinical Negligence. Over 30 years, Bill has worked with both the Plaintiff and Defendant and attended conferences in Chambers and given Expert Evidence in Court.

    From 2003-2006, Bill was a member of the British Orthopaedic Association’s Professional Practices Committee and from 2008-2014 the Medico-Legal Committee.

Follow up appointments are usually made at the time of the previous appointment. However, in cases returning following investigations, e.g. scans, the patients are asked to liaise with Bill’s office to ensure that the results and reports have been received.

With the major improvements in communications and technology, there has been an increasing number of requests for electronic and telephone medical consultations. However this does create problems:

    • There are concerns of data protection over the transmission of sensitive medical information when not given face-to-face
    • Prof Ribbans cannot give advice to patients he has never met or examined for their particular problem.
    • Many requests concern matters for which a proper clinical review is required to provide a full professional opinion.
    • Consultations for Imaging reviews are best undertaken where Prof Ribbans can demonstrate on the images any problems identified.
    • Emails tend to be dealt with during less busy times in the week and therefore there can be a delay in response.
    • The major healthcare insurance providers do not recognise non face-to-face consultations.

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