The benefits of a private health check | my experience at The Maxwell Practice a private GP in Henley-on-Thames

I don't know about you but I'm guessing you are just like me, as midlife women we generally put everyone else first, our children, ageing parents, work commitments and endless to-do lists, and we brush off the nagging signs that all might not be well with our own health and we just carry on. Getting a GP appointment can be a mission, often needing to be booked weeks in advance, so we give up. NHS health screenings can feel a bit sporadic and disconnected, there’s rarely an opportunity to understand the full picture in one go.

I’ve known for a while that something hasn’t felt quite right with my health. I’m not sure I can pinpoint exactly when the exhaustion started, but I’ve definitely been guilty of ignoring it and hoping I’d feel better tomorrow. I've been dismissing the subtle signs like fatigue, poor sleep, a few more aches and pains, anxiety, and low mood as 'just getting older.'  But if it were our partner, a friend, or one of our children, we’d insist they saw a doctor. So why don’t we do the same for ourselves?

I knew it was time for a health reset when I was invited to book the EXTRA Health Screening at The Maxwell Practice in Henley-on-Thames and what an incredibly reassuring experience it was. My private health screen in Henley was gifted as part of this blog collaboration but I can honestly say it was worth every penny, and I would absolutely pay for it myself.

This is a gifted blog post.

A private health check in midlife at The Maxwell Practice in Henley-on-Thames

Private GP clinic in Henley on Thames and Reading

The Maxwell Practice is a calm and welcoming private GP clinic, discreetly tucked away behind the shops and cafés of pretty Henley-on-Thames in South Oxfordshire, they also have a clinic in Reading. They offer a range of medical services and personalised health checks in a relaxed, unrushed setting. Think of a health screening as a personal MOT - a thorough consultation designed to support your wellbeing without the usual time constraints.

I spent over an hour with Dr Mike Thomas, and I left feeling genuinely listened to and reassured. From the warm welcome to the sensitive and attentive consultation, the whole experience felt completely different from the rushed NHS appointments we’ve all become used to. It was a chance to focus entirely on me, to dig deeper into what might be going on beneath the surface, and to start taking my health seriously again.

In this post, I’m sharing what the process involved, why I found it so valuable, and why I believe everyone, but especially women in their 50s, 60s and beyond, can benefit from a private health check. Not just for peace of mind, but for long-term confidence in your body and your future physical and mental health.

My experience at The Maxwell Clinic, Henley-on-Thames

My appointment was early on a Monday morning. When I booked, Victoria advised me that a fasting blood test was included, so it made sense to attend first thing, that way I could fast overnight and look forward to a mid-morning cuppa instead! I’m not great at fasting, but I just made sure to drink plenty of water, which helped.

The Maxwell Practice is centrally located in Henley-on-Thames. I parked at Waitrose and walked from there - it’s about five minutes, but there are plenty of other car parks nearby too. The clinic itself is modern, bright, and welcoming, tucked inside a beautiful period building just off Hart Street, the main road leading from Henley Bridge.

There was no waiting around, Dr Thomas welcomed me personally. I’m very fortunate with my local NHS GP practice and would never want to undermine the brilliant service they offer. I’m lucky to see a regular GP who has taken time to understand me and has fully supported my menopause journey and HRT decisions. But the fact remains: NHS appointments are incredibly limited. Standard slots are just 10 minutes long, and even a double appointment can feel rushed. I always find myself talking at 100 miles an hour, and even then I often forget something important I meant to mention.

Being able to sit and talk with Dr Thomas without feeling under pressure made such a reassuring difference. He put me completely at ease and really listened with compassion, kindness and genuine interest. I know not everyone can afford to see a private GP, but if you can find a way to budget for it, especially if you’re worried about your health, confused about menopause, or struggling to get answers, it’s absolutely worth considering.

What did the EXTRA health screening include?

There are three health screening options available at The Maxwell Practice: ESSENTIAL, EXTRA and EXTENSIVE. Each package includes a 60-minute face-to-face consultation with an experienced GP (male and female with varioius specialisms).

Before your appointment, you'll be asked to complete a pre-consultation questionnaire online so the GP can review your medical history, lifestyle, current medications, and family history in advance. During the appointment, you’ll also receive a thorough physical examination - mine included height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, reflexes, strength, lung function (spirometry), an ECG, and a breast examination. The examination can be tailored to your individual needs, depending on your concerns.

For my EXTRA health screen, I had a range of blood tests, provided a urine sample for analysis, and was given a home test kit to return a stool sample at my convenience. The blood tests included a full blood count, kidney and liver function, diabetes markers, cardiovascular risk (cholesterol profile), and inflammatory markers.

Dr Thomas also picked up, by simply listening to my heart, that I have a very slight heart murmur (something that’s been mentioned before), and suggested I might consider having an echocardiogram at some point. 

My lung function results were reassuring, and it turns out my lung age is above average which was great to hear, even if I still feel a little unfit and know I should do more cardio!

The EXTRA package includes everything in the ESSENTIAL health screen, plus the following additional tests:

• Bone profile
• Uric acid
• Ferritin (iron stores)
• Calcium and Vitamin D
• Folic acid and Vitamin B12
• Thyroid function
• Bowel cancer screening
• Osteoporosis risk score (FRAX)
• Spirometry (lung function)
• Ovarian cancer screening (for women) or prostate cancer screening (for men)

I was told to expect my full results within 7–10 days, followed by a telephone consultation with Dr Thomas to review the findings and discuss any next steps.

​I chose the EXTRA health screen because I wanted a more in-depth picture of my health particularly the additional blood tests included, such as ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and thyroid function. These are all areas I’ve had questions about in the past, especially when dealing with fatigue and low energy. Since I was going for a full check-up anyway, it made sense to be as thorough as possible and give myself the reassurance of a more comprehensive overview.

I had a full physical examination as part of the health check

The benefits of a private health check and GP appointment

The benefits to me, as a busy, overwhelmed midlife woman, were incredible. I felt listened to and not rushed, and I never felt like my concerns were silly or unimportant. The range of tests offered, along with the holistic, whole-person approach, made such a difference.

What I appreciated most was the emotional reassurance, something that’s so often missing in traditional healthcare settings due to time constraints. And because there was more time, Dr Thomas was able to offer tailored advice and we could explore the different options available, rather than just defaulting to a standard solution.

I was also really impressed that Dr Thomas understood the context of menopause and HRT. Although there are other specialist GPs at The Maxwell Practice who focus on women’s health, he still recognised the implications of my more complex HRT history. That understanding helped me feel like he was seeing the whole picture, not just ticking clinical boxes.

Why health screening matters in midlife

Midlife often brings a mix of subtle symptoms that can be easy to ignore like fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep, weight changes, or simply not feeling quite right. We tend to put these things down to stress, age, or 'just menopause' and carry on. But this stage of life is actually the perfect time to pause and check in on your health.

A private health screening gives you the chance to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, not just treating symptoms, but exploring the why behind them. It can help you catch small imbalances before they become bigger problems, and offer personalised advice based on your lifestyle, history, and concerns.

For me, it was about peace of mind but also about empowerment. Understanding what's going on in your body, having the time to ask questions, and leaving with a clear plan feels incredibly reassuring. In a time when so many women feel dismissed or rushed through appointments, investing in your own health like this is one of the most worthwhile things you can do.

I'm only 58 (I will be 60 in December 2026) and I have a lot more living to do yet, but right now I don't feel like I am enjoying life as much as I want to and this health screening is the first step in my journey to get back to being me and loving and living life again.

The Maxwell Practice is centrally located in pretty Henley-on-Thames

If you’ve been feeling tired, run-down, or like something just isn’t quite right and especially if you’ve struggled to be heard in a typical GP setting, then I can’t recommend a private GP practice enough. Taking that time for yourself, in a calm and supportive environment is a reminder that your health matters, and that it’s okay to prioritise you. 

I left The Maxwell Practice feeling reassured, supported, and much more in control of my next steps.  In fact I messaged my GP right away to get a prescription for one of the medications Dr Thomas recommended.

If you’re in midlife and finding it hard to get answers, or you simply want a more complete picture of your wellbeing, then a health screen might be exactly what you need.  Or if you have a specific health worry but want to explore it in more depth, then a private GP appointment can be reassuring and worthwhile. 

The Maxwell Practice offers a range of health checks and private GP services including women's health

My health report and follow-up consultation

After my health screening appointment on the Monday morning, I needed to send off the bowel cancer screening sample, so Dr Thomas waited for those results before finalising my report. Even so, the whole process was very quick and efficient, my full health report arrived by email on Saturday, with a link to download all the documents.

My detailed Health Screen Extra Report included:

• Comprehensive Screen Female (FBC, U+E, LFT, Glucose, Lipids, HS CRP, Urinalysis, Calcium, Vitamin D, HbA1c, Ferritin, Thyroid, CA-125, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Uric Acid)
• Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (QFIT)
• ECG report
• Spirometry report

Exactly one week after my first appointment, I booked a same-day follow-up call with Dr Thomas to review the results. We spoke for 20 minutes, and he explained everything clearly and calmly. My results were all reassuring - Vitamin D, B12, and Iron levels were normal, there was no risk of diabetes, and my HDL cholesterol was high (which is good!). Although that raised my total cholesterol, my overall cardiovascular risk was low.

​We also discussed a few ongoing health concerns and one follow-up test he recommended. I came off the call feeling reassured, supported, and, honestly, thinking 'what a genuinely kind and caring doctor.' I now have a plan in place and will update Dr Thomas in a few months about how I’m getting on with my new medication, but just knowing he’s there if I need to speak again is a huge comfort.

Private GP appointments are often available the same or next day, and they’re more affordable than many people think- The Maxwell Practice offers a membership option for example. The peace of mind, the time to talk things through properly, and the personalised care was priceless. I left the experience feeling encouraged, positive, and ready for change.  I should have done it sooner!

Thank you so much to Mike and Victoria for welcoming me to The Maxwell Practice, 

Appointments can be booked online, and please do visit The Maxwell Practice to explore the full range of medical services and membership options at this excellent private GP in Henley and Reading.

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: the Extra Health Screen was gifted to me for the purposes of this review, all words and opinions are entirely my own.