private vs NHS

caprica

Hey guys,
As I mentioned in another thread I'm waiting on getting an NHS appointment to be seen by rheumy for the first time. Might not get one till March, it seems.

I've been ringing up some private hospitals and just got word that one can fit me in as early as next week.

It'll cost me about £150 for the consultaion, which is fine as it's my health and it's worth it but I'm wondering if there's actually any point. I'll have to transfer to the NHS afterwards anyway because I can't afford to stay private, and I doubt the private doc will be able to do anything for me in one app?

I just hate waiting and want to feel like I'm doing 'something'! Has anyone done the whole private to NHS thing and how does it work? Can I still keep my NHS appointment for March if I see someone privately earlier?

elnafinn

If you go private you may well be able to see the same person on the NHS afterwards. If you want an appointment soon then that is the way forward. You will not be rushed or should not be and you will not see a "side kick" which often happens with the NHS. You will see the person you have arranged to see.

Why can't you keep the NHS appointment for March or whenever you get the appointment through? You are paying to go private. The NHS will not be aware that you are doing this and it is none of their business. If you see the same person, they may be a little bemused, if they remember you.

I have not done what you are thinking of perhaps doing.

Wishing you well,

Elna x

annebr

Hi,

A couple of years ago I one the same thing you are thinking of doing, I booked an initial private consultation. Unfortunately, the consultant I saw was so unhelpful, he didn't even look at xrays, he manipulated my legs, read GP reports and told me I had arthritis (I knew that) and to go away and come back in at least 10 years as they couldn't do anything. I was in and out in 10 mins and £150 lighter.

I went back to my GP and got an NHS referral and told him what happenned. I found out later from my GP that he had done the same thing to 2 more of his patients and he was no longer referring to him.

Saying all that my first NHS consultation was a junior registrar who wasn't really helpful and wouldn't answer my questions. Again back to my GP who wrote a strong letter, I now have a great NHS consultant and GP.

This probably hasn't helped you much, sorry.

ANne

ifeelninety

Before my d/g I decide to see someone privately - I applied to my local private hosp and they sent my referral to Rheumy there - I never heard from him in over a month and when I phoned his secretary I was told that as I was on his NHS list he could not see me privately. I telephoned another private hosp ( nuffield) and was given an app with another rheumy for the following morning. It was well worth the money as he got the ball rolling and was very mindfull of the cost implications for me. He done blood tests and referred me for Xrays ( back through my GP on the NHS so there would be no costs). He seen me again 4 weeks later and made his diagnosis - he then wrote to GP to start me on 2nd line med, which in turn got me a much quicker app at the NHS Rheumy ( as I was on the 2nd line they have a duty to see you within a certain time scale - think it was 3 months. He also asked GP to refer me to OT and Physio something none of my friends have had done on NHS.

caprica

Thanks for the replies, they've been really helpful!

Annebr, that's awful you paid money for such a sham doctor. Such bad luck, I'm glad your GP is now aware and can warn people.

That's good to know that the private rheumatologist can order xrays on NHS, because without xrays or more blood tests I doubt they'd be able to tell me anything more from just looking at me in one consultation.
It's also good what you said about the private doctor getting the ball rolling quicker with NHS - that's really what I'm after at this point.

I think I will wait till the end of the week at the latest and see if I get any news about my NHS appointment, if not I'll go see the private doc! [/quote]

Starburst

I was referred to a rheumatologist privately and fortunately, I am on my dad's work insurance policy. However, unfortunately, the man I saw was useless - he told me I was a hypochondriac with a neurotic mother and said I needed a spa holiday! :shock: The policy allows mt to go for a 2nd opinion and I struck gold with my current rheumy. He had me diagnosed within weeks. I only had to wait a week to have my scans, whereas he told me, on the NHS, it's a 3 month wait. My rheumy also runs an NHS clinic and wrote to my GP asking him to refer me. My GP told me I'd get an appt very quickly because I already had a diagnosis. I've still had to wait 2 months though.

IMO, if you do see a rheumatologist privately, scout around for one who may work in the NHS too. It's been my experience that the best consultants are the ones who work both privately and within the NHS.

Good luck! x

janie68

Hi,

I have to say going private for a consultation was a lifesaver for me. Back in 1994, I had symptoms which were diagnosed as RA by A and E, I saw some kind of a doctor who said that there was a 6 month wait for an appt for rheumy. So on my boyfriends (now hubby) insurance, I saw a consultant at Little Aston (B'ham) and as I was so ill, I was admitted to hopsital the next day! I saw the consultant on NHS from then on, he saw me in hospital on admission and drained off my joints personally which was unheard of! So, it was brilliant for me. Apart from staying in for 3 weeks,yuk!

Janie

wibberley

I see my rheumatologist privately and have seen the same one since I was 15. He was NHS and private then, but recently retired from NHS and just does private, which has had its communication problems.

I'm now wondering if it would be more simple just to go with NHS?

Lois x

caprica

Hey thanks for the comments!
Sounds like most of the time it can be worth it, even just for the peace of mind that something is moving along.

I rang the NHS hospital today..again..The receptionist was nice but said the same thing, could be anytime until end of march, the girls who send out the appointment cards are sick so maybe I'll find out next week. Maybe.

So yeah I'm sick of it, I've made an appointment for a private guy in just over 2 weeks. The appointment for next week was gone by the time I rang but the receptionist said she'd keep checking for cancellations and book me sooner if she can. Hopefully it'll be money well spent, but whatever really. Just needed to do something!

Starburst

When you were referred, caprica? I think the waiting times should be only 18 weeks between referral and your first appt.

elnafinn

Just wished to say all the best with your appointment in 2 weeks. As you say, you have done something positive and the two weeks will soon be here and you will be on your way to a diagnosis.

Look after yourself, which you appear to be doing!

Elna x

caprica

Mid December.

'Only' 18 weeks? I know that's the deal with NHS and waiting lists but that seems pretty ridiculous to me, maybe I'm just terribly impatient. Plus I'm so worried by everything I've read about early treatment and 18 weeks is a long time to wait in the first place and then I'll have to wait on x-rays, more blood tests etc. And even after all that meds don't start working for months. Great fun overall eh?? I just look forward to this year and see it sucking big time.

I'm still keeping the NHS appointment, I guess it can't hurt to have 2 opinions. My symptoms arent too visible and first lot of bloods that GP took were negative so I might be one of those hard to diagnose cases.

caprica

Thanks Elna I am feeling better now that I've done it. Hope you're having a nice afternoon!

josiec

Hi, I did what you are looking into when I first started having problems. I hoped I might be able to get everything sorted and dealt with before I went back to school after the summer - unfortunately it didn't quite work that way!!! :shock: I paid for a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon and then a rheumatologist when things progresed further and paid for some treatment - horrendously expensive-shows how much some NHS procedures cost I suppose, but them went over to his NHS list when I realised there was no quick fix ( and I was considerable lighter in the pocket! :shock: ) I don't regret doing it though - it was right for me at the time. I travel a bit further now to his NHS hospital but chose to stay with someone I trusted rather than risk moving and regretting it. We shouldn't have to do it, but sometimes, for some people, it's what suits them best. Good luck with your appointment, best wishes, Josie

lizzie7ne

Hi, well based upon my own experience I would try and find a consultant who would see you privately for the diagnosis and who would then transfer you to his/her NHS Clinic. The £150 initial consultation fee would be well worth it,but I think it would be pretty important to make sure you can transfer to the NHS for the ongoing treatment as I think that would be expensive.

I was referred toa NHS Rheumatologist with suspected Rheumatoid Arthritis. I waited 18 weeks exactly for an appointment,to confirm I had RA, deterioting all the time with just ibuprofen as a treatment, I tried so many times including asking my GP to get the appointment brought forward to no avail, by the time I got to see the Rheumatologist well I was in a pretty bad way, I could hardly walk. It takes a time for the medicines that treat RA to kick in (can take several months) so it was a difficult time for me. 18 months later I still have poor mobility due to knee problems and i blame this on damage which was done by the nasty flare waiting for the Rheum initial Appt.

However, the NHS has a lot to offer, once I saw the Rheumatologist and treatment began . I have regular appointments with my Rheumatologist, I have a Rheumatology nurse, an excellent Occupational Therapist who specialises in RA, who has organised equipment for my home as well as lots of good advice, and an excellent Physiotherapist who also is a Specialist in Rheumatology. and an equally good Podarist, I also see a good Specialist Rheumatology Pharmacist to check my meds all of which I could not have afforded privately.

I have learnt my lesson and if I ever have to see a consultant for anything else I would be going private for the initial consultation.


lizzie

caprica

lizzie, im sorry you had to wait so long and suffer the consequences. at least you seem to be in good hands now.

I spoke to my GP and he thinks that the private guy im seeing also has an NHS practice at the hospital, so if he strikes me as a cool/useful guy I'll ask to be referred there with him.

2 and a bit weeks to go.. i feel fine, symptoms still mild and holding steady, so im hoping i'll stay this way (or improve?! doubt it!) by the time i get some bloody treatment.
thanks for your advice!