Iechyd Teifi Health

Private primary care in the Teifi Valley

Iechyd Teifi Health is a private clinic based on Station Road in Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, in the Teifi Valley. It presents itself as a luxury private clinic offering primary care medical services that it describes as founded on evidence-based research and recognised clinical guidelines. The clinic states that it serves individuals, families and businesses across Wales, including Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The service is explicitly positioned as a complement to NHS general practice rather than a replacement: clients are advised to keep their registration with their existing GP practice, and the clinic states that it does not provide emergency out-of-hours care.

GP-led team with NHS primary care backgrounds

The clinic describes its team as GP-led and says all staff have previously worked in the local NHS primary care sector. The published team list includes Dr Beth Howells (GP), Rhian James (manager), Neris Davies (practice nurse), Liz Davies (healthcare assistant) and Mandy Jones (administrator). The clinic states that all members of the team are bilingual.

Dr Howells graduated from the University of Wales, College of Medicine Cardiff in 2001, gained postgraduate experience in general medicine, paediatrics, A&E and gynaecology, and completed GP training in 2005. She spent 18 years as a GP in Llandysul, Ceredigion, has a particular interest in diabetes and health promotion, and is a fluent Welsh speaker who can conduct appointments in English or Welsh.

Consultations and appointment formats

Appointments are offered face to face or remotely by video or telephone. The clinic says appointment slots are designed to allow adequate time to address clinical needs, and that enquiries are handled through an online booking system. It also states that provision is made to assist with disability, asking patients to inform the clinic of any special requirements when booking.

Clinical services

• GP services: GP consultations, ANP services and remote consultations.
• Nurse services: diabetes packages, monitoring services and assessments.
• Treatments: injections, staple removal and cryotherapy, the latter described as a fast, effective and safe solution for removing skin imperfections.
• Medicals and tests: medical examinations, sexual health and blood tests.
• Aesthetics: anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers and lip enhancement.

Health and wellbeing medicals

Among its programmes, the clinic offers bespoke health and wellbeing medicals that it describes as providing a detailed analysis of current health with the aim of identifying potential health risks or conditions at an early stage.

Weight loss management

A dedicated nursing team with experience in weight and lifestyle management produces bespoke weight loss programmes. The clinic states that it can prescribe weight loss injections to support patients. The service is presented as a separate programme within the clinic's offering.

Seasonal and recent announcements

The clinic's news section has promoted flu vaccination as a simple and effective way to protect individual and community health during flu season, and has highlighted allergy testing, noting that allergies affect millions of people in the UK. It has also published material on the benefits of health and wellbeing medicals. Appointments were announced as available from 16 October.

Facilities and access

The clinic describes a spacious car park at the rear of the building overlooking the river Teifi, and a welcome from a team available to assist throughout the visit.