Your Chester GP, a doctor-led private GP and wellness clinic in Chester, offers both medical care and spa-style wellbeing services under one roof.

Having recently marked its first year in the city, the doctor-led team behind Your Chester GP has created a model designed not just to treat illness, but to actively support people in living more balanced lives.

Clinical director Dr Catherine Harris said the approach reflects a broader view of health beyond traditional medical care.

"Although, as GPs, we're focused on people's medical wellbeing, there's much more to health than just the medical model," she told Nub News. "We often see patients becoming unwell because they're not taking time for themselves, and there's a lot of stress in everyday life.

"Sometimes taking time out of the day for a treatment, using the facilities, and switching off from phones is a way of managing that work-life balance better."

The concept behind the clinic was developed by Dr Harris and her co-directors, all of whom continue to work within the NHS alongside their private practice. Many of the GPs are long-standing NHS colleagues, something which Catherine said helps ensure continuity, trust and clinical consistency across both settings.

Their aim was to create a more joined-up approach to healthcare, one that considers both medical needs and wider wellbeing.

"We thought the concept was quite unique," Dr Harris explained. "There are medispa-style services, but they're often focused mainly on aesthetics.

"Here, we've combined that with proper GP-led medical care, so patients can move between both sides in one place."

Alongside private GP appointments, patients have access to services including private blood tests, ultrasound scanning and specialist clinics. The team has also recently expanded its women's health offering, with menopause support, fertility discussions, full gynaecology ultrasound services and access to a visiting consultant gynaecologist.

The Northgate Street clinic also works closely with a dietitian and physiotherapist, with plans to grow further into a fully integrated one-stop multidisciplinary model.

A key part of the model is its integrated spa environment, which includes a hydrotherapy jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, dry floatation experiences and relaxation spaces, alongside VR-led meditation. The aim is to create an environment that actively supports stress reduction and longer-term wellbeing.

Appointments are designed to allow time for proper consultation, with GP sessions typically lasting a minimum of 30 minutes. Importantly, appointments can be extended where needed, reflecting what the team describe as a "no rush" approach to care. The clinic also offers flexible scheduling, including evening and seven-day availability for members, with the emphasis on accessibility and reducing the barriers often associated with traditional healthcare systems.

Catherine explained that this time-led approach is central to the clinic's ethos.

She said: "In the NHS, appointments are often very short and focused on one issue. Here, we have the time to talk properly, to look at lifestyle, wellbeing, and what's really going on for someone, not just one symptom in isolation."

The clinic's approach is preventative, with an emphasis on helping patients improve long-term health through early intervention, screening and lifestyle support.

Catherine added: "We want to see people when they're well as well as when they're unwell.

"It's about proactive healthcare - looking at diet, sleep, stress and emotional wellbeing, and helping people make changes before problems develop."

One of the most significant developments since the business' launch is the introduction of a flexible membership model, which brings together access to both GP services and spa facilities for the first time. Previously offered separately, the new Flex membership has become a key milestone in the clinic's evolution.

Catherine said this integration is designed to make healthcare more accessible and more consistent.

"For some people, they want unlimited access to a GP seven days a week," she said. "For others, they might only need occasional medical care but want regular use of the spa facilities.

"Flex membership brings both together, which helps people engage with their health in a different way."

Alongside medical services, the spa side of the business continues to evolve, with increasing demand for private bookings, small group experiences and wellness-focused events. The space is also being used for celebrations such as birthdays and hen parties, offering an alternative to traditional nightlife.

"We're seeing more people who don't necessarily want a night out drinking," Catherine said. "They want something more relaxed and restorative, and then maybe go on for dinner afterwards. The space works really well for that."

Looking ahead, the clinic plans to continue expanding its specialist services, including medical-grade skincare treatments such as microneedling, non-surgical lifting and LED therapy, alongside further development of dermatology-led services.

Health education events are also set to become a bigger part of the offering, reinforcing the clinic's focus on preventative care and patient empowerment.

You can find out more about Your Chester GP here.