Cost of ablation

[pirnough6]

How much does it cost on average for an ablation done privately and how long do you have to wait.

Ann

[BobD Volunteer]

The last figure I heard was about £14,000 but not sure if that includes the hospital

"hotel" costs which could be £500 per night. Others might have better knowledge.

A first EP visit is between £200 and £300 and many people have one private consultation and then switch to NHS list.

[wendicarro in reply to BobD]

Wow! just as well I 'm NHS!!

Wendi

[BobD Volunteer in reply to wendicarro]

Yes it would be wonderful if NHS dealt only with sick people rather than all the self inflicted, self neglect or drug and alcohol induced traumas. Think of the money they would have to spend!

[Dodie117 in reply to BobD]

I think that's a pretty provocative statement. An awful lot of illness could be considered to be the result of self neglect etc. possibly including AF. A big proportion of AF sufferers are overweight and Grandma srm's posts shows us if we really want to do something about it extreme change of lifestyle has a big impact.

Then there are people who do dangerous sports, drive fast cars (!), indeed drive any car... The list goes on. So please let's not be too judgemental.

Better in fact if we just stay at home. Then most accidents are in the home so maybe no cooking as that's dangerous!!

Marie

[wendicarro]

Here Here! sadly have come across just that in my work.

Wendi

[Hidden]

I was quoted 15k in 2009.

[PeterWh]

You need to ask at the centre(s) where you would like to go because, as I understand itst do not necessarily charge the highest. Some of the London centres are very expensive and then some aren't.

[joebob]

I've just had it done privately.

£250 for initial consultation and then the first date offered was literally within two weeks, which I turned down due to wanting to get Xmas out of the way. NHS was 6 - 12 months.

I'm still awaiting the invoice but I was quoted £12,000.

[Susiebelle in reply to joebob]

Successful

?

[joebob in reply to Susiebelle]

So far, but it was only done last Sunday so it's very early days.

My EP says we won't know for certain for 3-6 months, but he was very positive.

[Hidden]

I think around £13-16k is about right as I was quoted £10k ten years ago.

BUT, there is a slight risk of a problem during the procedure. So I'd ask what it would cost if they suddenly had to rush you off for an operation. I'm not sure if that would be covered by the NHS and I do remember my EP making that point to me. But can't recall exactly what he said unfortunately.

Koll

[CTG99]

Sounds about the right level for one, but when I asked my EP about it, he said I should work on the basis of needing two so factor that into the budget.

Not surprisingly, I went onto the NHS list (but as life's got heaps better anyway, I cancelled).

Caroline

[dedeottie]

The thought of possibly having to pay for 2 was what put me off and as i do need another, im glad i didnt go down that route. X

[meliboo in reply to dedeottie]

Hi, Sorry but how many ablations did you had so far?

[dedeottie in reply to meliboo]

Hi I had 2 but the second had to be aborted as the E.P. thought a needle had pierced my aorta and was worried about a bleed round the heart. Luckily the first one had been partially successful allowing me to reduce my previously high dose of flecanide to a more acceptable level for long term use. X

[Dee1989]

I enquired into the London Bridge hospital where my EP works I was told £11,000 for a standard Atrial ablation (SVT) but I knew I needed the Hansen robot for my second ablation and that was £22,000.

I waited NHS however the lists are quite long at the moment they even try out sourcing from nhs now to make lists quicker they offered me that because of how many admissions I was having to hospital but it was only one private clinic and my consultant didn't work there so I decided to wait the list.

[Susiebelle in reply to Dee1989]

What is a Hansen robot please ?

[Dee1989 in reply to Susiebelle]

It is a robot arm the EP can use to perform ablation instead of guiding catheters manually they sit behind a desk and control it by a joystick whilst doc using on the information. It is used in more complex cases where scar tissue also needs to be minimised as it creates finer moves.

[PeterWh in reply to Susiebelle]

To add to Dee's response I understand that, in simplistic terms (it is actually much more sophisticated) it has a gear mechanism such that a bigger but movement on the joystick produces a much smaller one at the catheter point. I don't know the actual ratios but for example the EP moves his hand 5mm but the catheter only moves 1mm, thereby allowing precision. It also reduces tiredness and possible errors because the EP is sitting comfortably and reduces possibilities of radiation exposure.

Some more info is on Professor Richard Schilling's private site LondonAFCentre.Co.UK and in other places.

When I had my ablation at Barts the EP used the Hansen robot on me for the most part but for some of it he came beside me and held / manipulated the catheter and the other doctor (registrar?) with him remained at the desk.

[davegm]

I had my ablation in 2014 privately in Liverpool. The cost for the hospital for the procedure and costs for the EP and Anaesthetist was fractionally under £10,000.

This was for what I was told was a strait forward PVI RF ablation, which involved a one night stay. All tests and EP consultations both before and after the procedure are not included in this figure.

A word of caution - the procedure was paid for by private health insurance and sometimes the health insurance companies negotiate preferential rates compared to individuals.

[pirnough6]

Thank you all for your replies particularly pointing out the need to allow the costs of a possible 2nd ablation. Perhaps I might win the lottery tonight!!

Ann

[meliboo]

I saw that most of the responses were through privately, may I ask why you haven't chosen NHS for the ablation?