Long wait for first consultation...

[clanmags]

My first consultation at the cardiology unit isn't until the end of September and, now that I am in persistent AF, I am worried about such a long wait. I asked my Doc if I could go for a private consultation with the EP and he said that I would still be put to the back of the queue for any treatment required on the NHS ie; I could be delaying things. Has anyone else found this to be true after paying for that first consultation with a specialist? With persistent AF I'm hoping to be offered an ablation at some point. At the moment, I feel quite well and can still walk the 3 miles to town from where I live without getting out-of-breath. I'm worried that my health will go downhill as the NHS queues seem to get longer.

[GazzaD57]

I have been in Persistent AF for 9 months now, waiting for a clot to clear before trying a CV. The more I read and the longer I have to wait I know will mean the CV probably will not work but hoping it will go back to NSR long enough to show if an ablation will work.

[Perrylees]

Hi Clanmaggie

I don't know about the difference in waiting times I'm afraid but I too was in persistent AF and waited 8 months for my ablation. My EP wasn't concerned about the time it took (first of all I dithered about having it and then it was cancelled once because my dad died) - he said a few months wouldn't make any difference but a few years would! Anyway I had my ablation just over 3 months ago and have had no problems since. I didn't notice any deterioration over the time I was in AF so my experience (although everybody is different) is that you probably shouldn't worry...... of course I don't know what the waiting time is in your part of the country but I think the average is 6-8 months?

hope this helps a little?

Ruth

[Finvola]

I was referred as a routine patient to an EP on the NHS with a waiting time of 10 to 11 months so I had a private consultation whilst remaining on his NHS list for my review. Total wait from referral to review was 16 months. I didn't think the private consultation made any difference to my place on the NHS waiting list which at that time was excessive and has now improved somewhat.

Is is worth while telephoning and asking about the consequences of mixing private and NHS? I don't see how one could influence the other but it's something I didn't consider.

[PeterWh]

I think that you are in Scotland and hence the rules could be did there than here in England. You can always look up EPs and see whether they actually require a GP referral. Quite a few don't. Also if EP privately is different to NHS one then no problem. However private and NHS treatment simultaneously from same consultant could be a problem.

[clanmags]

Thank you for your replies. I will look further into getting a quicker appointment for a first consultation and see what they say. I'll let you know what transpires....

[Buffafly]

I had PAF and was fast tracked for ablation partly because my EP was concerned I might go into persistent AF. My understanding was that if that happened the chance of success would be much less. So I'm thinking that if you are already in persistent there may be no hurry, as previously mentioned AF takes years to change the heart.