Choosing a hospital for Ablation

[Devondan]

Hi

I have had PAF for about 10 years which was controlled with a flecainide PIP when needed, sadly since Covid and that awful cough doing the rounds last year my episodes slowly increased to every other day, access to my consultants team in Exeter is excellent through the hospital Arrythmia nurses and after a full consultation I was put on 150mg of Flec twice a day (which has put the AF under control for the moment) and recommended me for an urgent cryo ablation. However the wait locally is likely to be long, is there an easy way to find out what the waits are at other hospitals - I’d be happy to go London (I live in E Devon). Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

I'm in North Devon adn sicen 2005 have been under Royal Brompton Hospital.

[Hidden]

I think NHS waiting times are long every where but the only way to find out is to contact a hospital direct and ask. You might be better off if you are in a position to respond to a cancellation opportunity at short notice. Harefield Hospital is part of the Royal Brompton Trust and is located in west London near Uxbridge

[Buffafly in reply to Hidden]

I’m in Somerset, was referred to Harefield for RF ablation.

[secondtry]

People here have had it done privately, as you would expect most expensive in the UK (circa £20K I believe), a bit less in France (Bordeaux is a world centre of excellence) and Japan less again. Language shouldn't be a problem with tech today.

[ibuputih]

I live in SWLondon - had mine done 9 years ago at Harley Street Clinic.

[SuziElley]

You could try Bristol. I think they run two waiting lists. One urgent and the other less so.

[2learn]

Hi, my understanding is that to go out of area under NHS requires ok by local medical board who have to fund it. Many areas are unwilling to do this and want you to wait, hence bigger waiting lists in some areas than others. I paid to go to Brompton for heart op when W Mids had told me 12mths or when I became an emergency, didn't want to wait for that as no guarantee an ambulance would arrive in time.

[ibuputih]

Sorry - not having a good morning. Thought you asked about private hospitals.

Anyway, in my neck of the woods the NHS big one for heart related/ep seems to be St George’s, Tooting.

[Hidden in reply to ibuputih]

They have certainly looked after me OK!

[Devondan]

Thanks folks, doesn’t sound like its a simple process, I’ll make a few more enquiries and report back.

Dan

[Speed]

For info, just been advised that waiting list for RF Ablation for AF at QE in Brum is currently about 9 mths. Last 2 (for A AFlutter) have been under sedation and expect next one also but not sure if that has made any difference to o timescales.