Clinics & Consultations
Dr Kerry Aston offers several specialist clinics designed to support patients with complex health concerns, inflammatory conditions and performance-related health issues.
Each clinic combines medical expertise with a broader understanding of lifestyle, nutrition, hormones and recovery.
Functional Medicine
Root-cause medicine for complex or persistent health concerns
Who this clinic is for
This clinic is designed for people with ongoing, complex or recurring symptoms that have not been fully explained or resolved despite previous medical care.
You may benefit if:
• You have symptoms affecting multiple systems
• You’ve had investigations that are “normal” but you still feel unwell
• You’re managing a chronic condition and want a more joined-up approach
• You want time, clarity and a personalised plan
Common reasons patients attend
• Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
(including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Sjögren’s and related disorders)
• Digestive symptoms
(IBS, IBD, bloating, food reactions)
• Fatigue, brain fog or long COVID
• Hormonal symptoms
(PMS, PCOS, perimenopause)
• Recurrent infections, chronic pain or poor recovery
What to expect
Initial Consultation — 45 minutes
• Comprehensive medical history and symptom timeline
• Review of previous tests, diagnoses and treatments
• Identification of patterns and potential contributing factors
• Discussion of whether further targeted testing would be helpful
Results & Follow-Up Appointment — 30 minutes
• Clear explanation of findings
• Personalised plan covering:
– Nutrition and lifestyle
– Supplements (when appropriate)
– Training and recovery considerations
– Medical optimisation
– Coordination with NHS or private care where needed
Female Performance & Athlete Health Clinic
Who this clinic is for
Women who train, including:
• Recreational or competitive athletes
• Women training for strength, endurance or hybrid events
• Women returning to training after illness, injury or pregnancy
• Women experiencing changes in performance or recovery
Common reasons women attend
• Training hard but not adapting
• Persistent fatigue or poor recovery
• Recurrent injuries or illness
• Menstrual cycle disruption or PMS
• Feeling inflamed, run down or “burnt out”
What’s included
Initial Performance Consultation — 45 minutes
• Training load and recovery review
• Injury history
• Menstrual cycle and hormonal health review
• Screening for low energy availability / RED-S
• Assessment of stress, sleep and immune resilience
Results & Performance Plan — 30 minutes
• Interpretation of results in the context of training
• Fuelling and nutrition strategy
• Training and recovery adjustments
• Hormonal and stress support aligned with performance goals
Rheumatology & Joint Injection Clinic
Diagnosis and treatment of joint and inflammatory conditions
Who this clinic is for
People with:
• Inflammatory arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis)
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Persistent joint pain or swelling
• Sports-related joint or soft tissue injuries
• Suspected rheumatological conditions
What’s included
• Detailed rheumatology assessment
• Review of imaging and blood tests
• Diagnosis and management planning
• Medication review and optimisation
• Joint or soft tissue injections where appropriate
Further investigations can be arranged if required, including blood tests or imaging (X-ray, ultrasound or MRI).
Our approach
The aim of this clinic is to provide:
• Clear diagnosis
• Evidence-based treatment
• Practical advice to support mobility and long-term joint health
Questions
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Dr Kerry Aston currently consults from Beechill Clinic in South Belfast, with some appointments also available online where appropriate.
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No.
Your initial consultation focuses on understanding your symptoms, medical history and health timeline. If further investigations are helpful, these will be discussed during or after the appointment. -
Not necessarily.
Testing is recommended only when it adds clear clinical value. Many patients benefit from a focused assessment and personalised plan without extensive additional investigations. -
No.
Testing costs are separate and depend on what is clinically appropriate. Any recommended investigations will always be discussed with you in advance, including the expected cost. -
Yes.
Previous NHS or private investigations can be reviewed as part of your consultation.Please note that reviewing extensive external functional or performance testing (such as comprehensive stool, hormone or metabolomic tests) may require additional time outside the consultation and may incur a test review fee of £75. This will always be discussed beforehand.
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No.
These clinics work alongside NHS and private services. With your consent, relevant information can be shared with your GP or specialist to support coordinated care. -
This varies depending on the clinic and your individual health concerns. Many patients begin with an initial consultation followed by a results and strategy appointment, with further follow-up arranged if needed to review progress and refine the plan.