Senior NHS nurse sets up her own health clinic
APLYMOUTH nurse has decided to support the NHS in an unorthodox way – by leaving the service to start her own business.
Laura Bates has opened her own clinic offering health interventions that she says primary care are struggling to deliver.
Laura, 40, was a senior sister in hepatology at Derriford Hospital but has finally followed her ambitions and started Precision Health and Training. At her new clinic in Peverell in Plymouth Laura will offer treatments such as microsuctioning of ear wax, travel health vaccines and cryotherapy for warts and verrucas.
Patients may choose to visit Laura over their GP surgery if they are struggling to be seen or get access to the care they require. She says she is not anti-NHS but just trying to meet the needs of individuals.
Laura worked at Derriford Hospital for 22 years, working her way up from a healthcare assistant and participating in community projects along the way. She had a special interest in helping to fight Hepatitis C but is now ready for her next challenge.
Laura said: “I’m passionate that people get access to care and it’s a shame that they have to pay for it but we need healthcare. We need those kinds of services and I just really hope that it’s successful and that my prices do remain reasonable and affordable for all.”
The clinic officially opened on Friday evening with a launch party and special appearance from Councillor Vivien Pengelly who cut the ribbon.
Four Elements Catering also provided Laura with free canapes as a thank you for her help with their local rugby club, OPM where she is a rugby safe lead and coach and parent rep for the under seven’s.
Laura already had three appointments booked in for Saturday morning on her first official day of business. Her aim is to fill the void in primary care by treating minor conditions at reasonable and competitive prices.
Regarding why people would visit Laura over their GP surgery, she said: “Because it’s readily available. If you can get primary care, delighted, I’m not looking to take people if they can get GP services.
“This is for those that can’t. I’m all for the NHS, I’m not anti-NHS at all or privatisation, I just see that you cannot get into primary care so I’m just meeting the needs of those individuals who can’t get things that they need.”
Laura’s husband Tom is a director of her company, he said Laura is “fabulous” and she will make a huge success of her new venture. He continued: “She is very very passionate about her patient group and does the right thing... It’s not about generating maximum profit, it’s about caring about what we do.”
For some treatments, Laura is still awaiting CQC approval so some things aren’t currently available on her website. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.