Private consultation

How much would it cost me for a private consultation with a cardiologist..Do I need to be referred by my GP to do this?My NHS appointment has been cancelled and there are none available so I'm on the waiting list. Would they have access to my NHS reports as I had an ultrasound scan and 24hr monitor just 2 weeks ago. I live in Dorset, UK

[BobD Volunteer]

Typically something around £200 I think . You can always demand copies of all correspondence and test results as I have for many years. You may need a letter from your GP  once you have made the appointment. Best go straight to an EP rather than  a plain old cardiolgist.

[booboo73]

Im in Yorkshire and it cost £250. Although I would recommend going to see an Ep. My Doc referred me and I made sure I got copies of everything from her to take with me x 

[booboo73 in reply to booboo73]

Oh and try to make sure all uour blood tests are up to date before you go...I had a mad rush trying to get my thyroid blood result back before I went x 

[Hidden]

My EP quoted me £150

[Hidden]

I'm not sure what to do really..My first CV failed after 5 days and I was being pre loaded with amidiodarone for a second go and I chemically reverted back to nsr. I'm on 200gm daily now but would like to get off the poison pills....I need a professional opinion but does it have to be an EP?...Why would that be better?

[PeterWh in reply to Hidden]

EPs are not only specialists in arrythmia but they are cardiologists in their own right and they have good knowledge of the drugs available and importantly the effects of the drugs. 

[PeterWh in reply to Hidden]

Personally I would pay to see EP privately. 

[BobD Volunteer]

Would you ask a plumber to re-wire your house? EPs are the experts in arrhythmias.

[NooNoo14]

I am in the West Midlands and mine cost £160. I then had a CT scan of my heart and a couple of blood tests that cost £306.96 but would assume that you can get these done through the NHS.

[weezergeezer]

 EPs have a lot of experience in arrhythmias, there is no set accross the board price for a private consultation, the money comes first...ie how much can we charge and get away with it, it varies alot, you pays your money and you takes your choice !

[Mike11]

Note that BMI who run some private hospitals now charge separately for any ECGs and have put the price up from £50 to £152.  They claim this change was forced on them by the insurance companies which seems unlikely, but you may want to check on all charges, not just the cost of the EP himself.  If there is an extra charge your GP's nurse can take an ECG for you and take that along together with any blood tests.

[PeterWh in reply to Mike11]

With BMI you can negotiate prices, particularly ECGs, BMIs, etc if you tell them you are paying personally.

[Hidden]

I paid £150 all ina few years back, BMI Birmingham. Monitor and tests weredone under NHS as was tha ablation that followed the test results. I. Would not dream of going to anyoneexcept my EP with an arrhythmia, why on earth would you avoid the specialist? I have seen general cardios and wouldnt again.