Hi guys, I’m wondering if people could share their thoughts / experience on whether the NHS or private is better when it comes to heart surgery? I’ve recently been diagnosed with Bicuspid Value disease and expect at some point in the future will need surgery (just getting monitored annually for how). I’ve tried researching but getting conflicting views, also came across articles saying a few NHS hospitals having to stop congenital heart surgery’s due to reviewing of standards etc (I think this is more for babies needing surgery rather than adults, but again not so clear!)
For those already on that journey, please can you share your thoughts? Thank you
Lara
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Lvp84
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I think it's good that you are doing your research and exploring your options well in advance of surgery - knowing your options and what to expect can be significant in helping you deal with something that is a major life event although will probably described, at some point as 'routine surgery'.
It will be challenging, I think , to establish if private is better although it could feel better for you. NHS does offer patient choice; you may choose your surgeon but timing is always subject to waiting lists, unless you become an emergency.
I did choose a private consultation for my stenotic bicusped aortic valve with my chosen surgeon to discuss my surgical options and this probably meant I was seen quicker, which I saw as a worthwhile gain. So private consultation may mean a queue jump.
4 months, post open heart surgery, I cannot fault my NHS experience. I'm fixed, at least for the time being.
As to actual private surgery, we're talking £20k + for the same hands, skills and experience as the NHS option so I'll be interested to see what experiences are shared on this forum. Good luck on your journey, Lara.
I’d agree with Ian regarding doing some research to find the person to do the job who you must have completer trust in. It sounds as though you may be some way down the diagnostics journey now but I decided to switch from NHS to Private when diagnosis was taking too long for me.
We have a doctor friend who had a very senior post before he retired. He is very happy to use private medicine but would always have major operations done on the NHS in case things go wrong!
We have a lovely private hospital which is much nearer to where we live than the NHS one. My husband has used it recently for abdominal problems. I have had all my heart treatment on the NHS and have found it to be excellent. Everything can be accessed on the computer by the cardiac nurse and by the GP and the support I have received has been brilliant.
Good luck with whichever route you decide to take.
You need to know that most surgeons work for the NHS and have a private practice so you may have the same surgeon either way. I am waiting for a mitral valve repair operation hopefully will have it in November/December on the NHS. On enquiring how much the same surgeon would cost to have it done privately (in 4 weeks) I was given a cost of £23000.00 plus a £1000 consultation fee. I’m waiting until end of the year!!!!
All I can say is my granddaughter is 23 having had seven heart surgeries since birth. The NHS has been good to here. Also to me when I had a valve replacement in January
Hi Lara. Whilst I am not on the same journey I thought I could point you to the society of Cardiothoracic surgeons. It lists all the surgeons registered.
As others have said the same surgeons work in both the NHS and private practice. And many NHS hospitals have their own private wards as for this type of surgery it’s important to have access to an intensive care unit.
Hi Lara. We used to travel to the US regularly. My husband is a golfer and was frequently asked about the NHS by the guys he played with. They all had the impression that the NHS was on it’s knees and basically not fit for purpose. He always told them that the NHS was the best place to be if you had heart problems as they were dealing with them day in day out and had the best facilities. We had private medical care in those days.
Speaking from my experience whilst you undoubtedly get edible food and a comfortable room (on your own) the care in our NHS hospital was first class and the majority of the staff could not have been more caring. And food wise my family brought in sandwiches and salads so I ate reasonably healthily.
I have heart failure and diseased valves. At the outset, after I’d been discharged from my first (and so far only admission) which was NHS, I went private on my insurance to get quicker follow up/diagnosis. I got to see my private cardiologist quickly, and he ordered the various scans I’ve had done, but they were all in the NHS, because not many private hospitals carry the kit. Likewise, the private guy was very open, and said if and when I need the surgery for new valves, and I will at some time, it will be in an NHS hospital, and whether I pay for it (or the insurers) will make little or no difference to the timing. When you need it you need it. The point being that he strongly advised not to seek the valve surgery any earlier than necessary, because new valves have a lifespan, and getting them early means they may wear out quicker, and your own health may not be so good longer term etc, so you are increasing the risk. Upshot is I’m seeing the private guy who keeps an overall brief (until the insurers stop paying), and I’m now, at long last, in the NHS system and for me, the run well alongside each other.
It is useful to look on the private hosp web site and see the profiles of their cardiac consultant then take a look at the patient reviews - this is what i did. I was advised at my private consultation that my local nhs qe hosp b.ham was the best place for heart surgery - because, as others have said they almost 24hr care in most areas of medicine so if anything goes wrong you are in the best place. Its useful to start off with private but, should there be complications when done private you will need to take into account extra costs - it can be v expensive. Eg blood tests 2years ago cost £30 each
I’m private and go to a nhs hospital and had a few issues wiv a couple of rude nurses. I think they where nhs but not sure. My cardiologist is private but gets into our local heart hospital. My main issues where wiv phoning in to change appointments and a couple of ecg nurses who moaned cos I stuggled and worried about my heart condition. I complained at the time to the hospital. No issues with my heart care tho, just some ppl are rude and have no ppl skills.
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