Private cardiologist v NHS

[Jajarunner]

Just had a thought (wow!). Many of you probably know this already BUT following on from the earlier criticism of the NHS and not being able to chose to see a 'good' EP, is everyone aware that you are able to chose your own cardiologist? I was very unhappy with the one who treated me last August at my ULCW (Useless Local Cardiac Ward) and discovred that you can be changed to another no questions asked. All I did was phone the secretary of the one I wanted to see to ask if he would be willing to see me. And he was (although sadly he was not around when I was readmitted to ULCW in March).

When I was referred to Papworth I was told that if I was not happy with my allocated EP I HAD THE RIGHT to see another too!

And finally, in answer to the American criticism of the NHS, the EP's etc we see as private patients are the same ones we see on the NHS! Just free!!

When I had to go private during covid19, my private EP immediately referred back onto the NHS at Papworth so saving me the cost of the priavete cardioversion (and a private ablation was beyond my means, and I got that free too!)

thank you NHS even if I don't rate my ULCW

[10gingercats]

Yes. It is worth taking the time to find out how the system works.

[BobD Volunteer]

I know I haven't mentioned it for some time but yes you have the right to be treated where and by whom you wish. May have to fight for that on occasions.

[doodle68]

Having never seen my designated EP just his nurse in the 3 years since being diagnosed with P-AF and having been signed off from at the arrhythmia clinic as 'stable, contact us if circumstances change' , I got in touch with my GP in February to say circumstances changed in December with episodes increasing in frequency and I would like to try Flecianide so please refer me back to the clinic so I might be prescribed a change of meds. Only the consultant can prescribe the change.

Then came C19 and clinics cancelled with a first available clinic appointment being in October.

I had visions of the October clinic being cancelled too if there was a resurgence of C19.

So I paid £150 + the fee for an ECG to see my own NHS consultant EP privately and he agreed Flecainide was my best option .

The problem is I still have to attend the clinic in October to be referred for another Echo before being prescribed Flecainide unless I want to pay for both.

At least I got to meet my consultant at long last 😊 and if the clinic is cancelled I will contact his NHS secretary to try to get an Echo and a prescription without attending a clinic.

In some parts of the UK getting things done is a slow process .😒

[10gingercats in reply to doodle68]

I hope you get your echo.After 5 years since my last one,and getting older(!) )I asked for a full af assessment by a cardio. on the nhs.'EventuallyI got the check up and it was a good one but when i asked for the echo. it was a different matter!However, I persisted and got it and was told....;this will be your last one'.I guess past 80 they 'assume 'you will not need another!Well, I have my fathers genes and so i am also a bit of a terrier!!

[Buffafly in reply to 10gingercats]

I’ve got a feeling some procedures/tests are beginning to be rationed, I seem to remember someone saying their third CV was their last but that may have been a misunderstanding 🤔

[10gingercats in reply to Buffafly]

May also be down to how well you can 'argue' your case.....and the more elderly,and the more deaf etc. the less likely you may get these tests and checks.

[ian16527]

I was told by ny GP that I could see another Cardiologist but I would have to go out of area, i.e. to the next health authority. Anyway, my current Cardiologist has discharged me so I may be able to get another. All the last one wanted to do was put me on amiodarone.

[LaceyLady]

They just want us to go away and die somewhere. I’m lucky we have insurance

[Hidden]

In the South of England there is a big waiting list for Ablations, around a year. There are 25 on the waiting list paying around £12K each and no date when those 25 will be done. My understanding is that Private Ablations are always done at NHS hospitals.. just in case they have a problem.

And no the NHS is not Free, we are paying every week for it. The question is "Is the NHS Value for money?" If it was such a great system then it would have been replicated around the world..... it has not been copied anywhere.

[Cally53 in reply to Hidden]

I had my NHS ablation done at a private hospital at the end of July.

[Physalis]

Where are you in the south of england? I am in Eastbourne and got mine done on 8th July, within the 18 weeks from my referral, allowing for the lockdown.

However, I'm in the south east, not the south. I guess it is a postcode lottery.

I just went with the flow, it didn't even occur to me that I could question who would do the ablation or where it should be done.

Maybe some patients get treated more quickly. Patients who only have an episode of AFib once a month or once every few months might find themselves at the end of the queue.

I did read somewhere that AFib patients are given preference because their outcomes are usually better.