Dr Susie Rockwell

MBBS DRCOG DCH MFHom

NHS GP

Medical Homeopath

Nutritional Therapist

Bio-identical Hormones

Private Consultations

Sussex Back Pain Clinic

58 New Church Road
Hove

BN3 4FL

(corner of Walsingham road - map)

Telephone 01273 725667

doctor@susierockwell.co.uk

I am afraid that my waiting list is currently closed and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. I will update this website when the list re-opens. In the meantime, you may wish to consult with one of my colleagues for Homeopathy or Bio-Identical Hormones:
Dr Moira Houston tel: 07930 563 796 www.homeopathy2trust.com

About myself (picture)
I am an NHS GP and medical homeopath. I am also a GP appraiser.

I qualified from Charing Cross & Westminster medical school in 1987 moving to Brighton in 1989. I worked at the Royal Sussex County and the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital before moving to General Practice.

I continue to work as an NHS GP at Portslade Health Centre where I have been since 1992. I have run a well woman clinic there for many years and this interest has carried over to my homeopathic and Bio-identical hormone practice. I am involved in child health screening and have found that children respond particularly well to homeopathic treatment. From December 2010 I will be one of 3 GPs across Brighton & Hove delivering a community Gynaecology service. I am a GP Appraiser and have worked in the past on the Professional Executive Committee of Brighton & Hove City PCT; I also act as a medical advisor for the Kent & Sussex ME Society.

I started Homeopathic training at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in 2001. NHS time constraints prevent me from offering homeopathic treatment to many of the patients who may be interested in it, hence my decision to start a private practice during 2004.

I treat people privately at The Sussex Back Pain Clinic for a wide range of conditions and accept self referrals as well as referrals from other doctors and healthcare professionals. I can work with your GP or other clinician if you are hoping to reduce conventional medication.

NHS regulations state that I cannot treat anyone registered at Portslade Health Centre.

I am not registered with BUPA or any of the other private healthcare providers. If you are insured with the HSA you can reclaim 50% of my fees.

I am a member of the Faculty of Homeopathy through whom I obtain professional supervision and continuing professional development. I am secretary of the Brighton & Hove Homeopathic Physicians’ multi-disciplinary special interest group.

During 2006/7 I studied with The Nutritional Healing Foundation and obtained their diploma in Nutritional Healing. I integrate nutritional therapy and naturopathic techniques into my practice where appropriate.

During 2010 I have been studying Bio-identical Hormone Therapy and can now integrate that into my practice.

I am married and live in Hove. I enjoy most outdoor activities particularly mountain biking, running and tennis. My greatest passion is skiing; I regularly take time off to rep for the Ski Club of Great Britain

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that aims to help the body heal itself. A homeopathic consultation focuses on the whole person and enables the homeopathic medicines to be selected on the basis of all aspects of the patient and his or her symptoms. This means that each treatment, like each person, is unique.

Homeopathy works on the principle of “Using like to cure like”. This means that a patient is treated with natural medicines which would produce similar symptoms in a healthy person. For example, chopping an onion can cause streaming eyes and a runny nose. Thus a homeopathic medicine derived from onions, Allium cepa can be successful in treating these symptoms in someone suffering from hay fever.

What sorts of conditions can homeopathy treat?

Many illnesses will respond to homeopathic medicines and some can be treated with homeopathy alone.

As a medical doctor trained in homeopathy, I will advise you when it is most effective to use homeopathic medicine, conventional medicine or a combination of both.

Allergies, anxiety, asthma, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual and menopausal problems, morning sickness and stress often respond especially well

Children respond particularly well to homeopathy which can be used in the management of a wide range of childhood illnesses including recurrent conditions such as asthma, tonsillitis and glue ear.

What does Homeopathic treatment involve?

As a homeopathic doctor I would seek to treat you as a whole person. I will ask you about your symptoms and what may have triggered them, and about how you feel emotionally and the unique way in which the symptoms affect you.

I ask my patients to complete a questionnaire prior to their first appointment in order to gain as much information as possible.

The first consultation may last up to 1.5 hours during which I take a detailed medical, nutritional, psychological and homeopathic history. I may occasionally need to perform an examination or to suggest investigations (e.g. blood tests) just as any other doctor would.

I may prescribe for you immediately at the end of the consultation, or I may decide to analyse your case further and to contact you after a few days with details of the homeopathic medicine I wish to prescribe. I will usually provide you with the remedy if only a few doses are to be taken. In cases where a remedy is to be taken over several weeks or months I will generally issue you with a prescription and details of where this can be dispensed.

A follow up appointment 3-6 weeks later is usually recommended. Complex conditions may require a number of appointments in order to achieve lasting benefits.

I may also need, with your permission, to communicate with other doctors or therapists involved in your case.

Nutritional Therapy

I believe that what we eat and drink is fundamental to good health and integrate nutritional advice into most of my consultations.

I have an interest in food intolerances and have found them to be very common. A wide range of patients particularly those with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome may derive enormous benefit from following an exclusion diet.

Should I feel that you require further investigation I will write to your GP (with your consent) and ask if these can be completed on the NHS. Where this is not possible private testing may occasionally be recommended.

Where possible one should use diet rather than supplements to obtain our nutritional requirements, but purposeful supplementation can be useful.

Bio-identical Hormones

Bio-identical hormones are virtually identical to the hormones our own bodies produce, the molecular structure is an exact match of the hormones found in the human body. They are derived from natural pre- cursors found in soya beans and yams and can be customised to each individual’s requirements. They may be considered to be a safer option than conventional hormone treatments including HRT.

I aim to arrange tests (blood, saliva and/or urine) to measure in what way your body’s hormones have become out of balance, and then to individually tailor a prescription of Bio-identical hormones to suit your needs. The prescription is then made up for you by a compounding pharmacy (usually Specialist Pharmacy www.specialist-pharmacy.com in London). Each prescription is made separately so one can specify the exact combination of hormones that you as an individual require. The hormones can be formulated to be rubbed into the skin (transdermally), used orally, or topically to the vaginal/genital area according to personal preference. As the effects mimic your normal biochemistry (or what your normal biochemistry would have been prior to the onset of hormonal problems) side effects are usually minimal.

Hormonal imbalances may cause problems such as PMS, menopausal symptoms, reduced libido, and hair and skin thinning, blood sugar fluctuations, fatigue, mood swings and depression. Bio-identical hormones can help with all of these conditions and may also have anti aging properties. See more detailed information sheet at the end of this website.

Bio-identical hormones are what Samantha In the recent Sex & the City 2 film was using to help her menopausal symptoms, and Suzanne Somers whose book featured in the film is one of the high profile American advocates of Bio-identicals. See also “It must be my hormones: Getting your life back with Bio-identical” by Vicki Edgson & Dr Marion Gluck.

I started training in the use of Bio-identical hormones during 2010 and have done some sessional work at Dr Marion Gluck’s clinic in Notting Hill. I underwent further training in this area in Germany in September 2010 and am now offering Bio-identical hormone treatments in my clinic.

Psychological Therapies

A huge amount of illness is caused by psychological distress and understanding this is vital in helping patients to regain their health. I have found that homeopathic prescribing is far more effective when based around the patient’s mental state.

I have received basic training in counselling skills and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which I integrate into consultations. Sometimes I see patients for a number of sessions to use CBT techniques e.g. for anxiety or stress related problems.

CFS/ME

I offer medical assessments for people who suspect they may have CFS/ME to try to make a definitive diagnosis.

After the consultation I prepare a detailed report for you and your GP which can be used for employment/benefits purposes as required.

During the assessment appointment there is insufficient time for full homeopathic or nutritional assessment so this would need to be done at a future appointment if required.

Charges

Homeopathic, Nutritional Therapy and CBT

Adults

· 1st Appointment £120

· Follow up £60

Children

· 1st Appointment £80

· Follow up £40

An additional cost of up to £7.50 for each prescribed homeopathic remedy may also be incurred.
Any supplements recommended can be purchased directly from the suppliers or I can supply them for you at approximately 15% below their RRP.

Assessment of possible CFS/ME

· New patient £150

· Further advice £60

A detailed report will be supplied for CFS/ME patients that can be used for employment/benefits etc.

Bio-identical Hormone Therapy

· New patient £150

· Follow up £60

Telephone or Skype advice

· For existing patients charged pro rata per hour £80

There are additional charges for hormone and other pathology tests and prescriptions. See Bio-identical Hormone Therapy handout below.

Payment by cash or cheque, sorry credit cards not accepted.

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