Practical questions before your first consultation.
What is functional medicine?
It is a framework for examining how a person’s history, environment, lifestyle, nutrition, physiology and established medical diagnoses interact. In my practice it is used alongside conventional medical reasoning.
What types of problems do people bring?
Common reasons include persistent fatigue, metabolic concerns, digestive symptoms, pain, poor sleep or recovery, menopause-related concerns, multiple overlapping symptoms, and health optimisation. Suitability depends on the individual problem.
Can you diagnose or prescribe?
Not within the Functional Medicine service offered through this website. These appointments are a separate complementary health and lifestyle service rather than private GP consultations. They do not provide diagnosis, prescription-only medication, medication management, acute care or medical triage. Where medical assessment or treatment is indicated, please use your NHS GP or another appropriately regulated medical provider.
Will you tell me to stop my medication?
No. Medication can be discussed as part of your health history, but prescribed medication should not be started, stopped or changed through this Functional Medicine service. Medication decisions should remain with the clinician or regulated medical service responsible for your medical care.
Do I need to stop seeing my NHS GP?
No. Functional medicine is intended to complement appropriate NHS and specialist care, not replace it.
Can we discuss my blood tests or other results?
Yes. Existing results can provide useful context for nutrition, lifestyle and health optimisation. If a result needs formal medical investigation, diagnosis or treatment, it should be reviewed by your NHS GP, specialist or another appropriate medical service.
Do you provide functional blood tests?
I do not provide phlebotomy or diagnostic screening through this Functional Medicine service. If additional health-optimisation information may be useful, we can discuss the kinds of markers or independent tests you may wish to consider. You arrange and purchase any testing directly from the external provider and can bring the resulting report back for lifestyle and optimisation discussion.
What should I bring?
Your current medication and supplement list, any existing results you already have, a short health timeline, and the main questions or lifestyle priorities you want to explore.
Do you see people outside York?
Yes. Functional Medicine and lifestyle consultations are available by Zoom. The remote service does not provide urgent medical advice, triage, diagnosis or prescribing.
How do I book?
Use the booking page to choose a 60-minute initial consultation, a 30-minute follow-up, or the annual subscription. Both in-person and Zoom options are available for individual consultations.
Ready to book?
Choose a 60-minute Functional Medicine consultation in York or by Zoom.