Do many here, choose private over NHS or stick with NHS?
I choose NHS as I have several diffent types of health issues and going private would be extremely costly with all the different things I have done, different clinics etc... etc...
Private you obviously get seen much quicker, I know. But I think it all gets complicated with the GP if doing bits of both.
Bit of both.. can be useful to pay to see a consultant to sort out where you are going?
If you travel, you can sometimes get the testing done cheaply. I can only speak for Tunisia. The ordinary blood tests are cheap. A chest x-ray will set you back a whopping ten pounds. A 24 hour Holter will cost a bit more, say 50 pounds. I know people who travel to Tunisia, get the tests done (in French) and show the results to doctors in UK, with mixed results for the quality of the reports.
Thanks ILowe, yes, I travel extensively, UK & overseas, as i’m a tv cameraman and my union has a very good work related insurance that includes me going to conflict areas around the world, though I’ve massively reduced overseas work as it’s too physically difficult now as I’m getting older (58), and it covers me for all manner of work related health issues whilst overseas or working in the UK; but doesn’t deal with my domestic everday ongoing health issues.
Every system is a mixed bag. Because you travel, you are in a position to pick and choose. I mentioned basic tests which in the right place are a bargain. Most health issues are swiftly dealt with through basic tests, which in Tunisia can be obtained with little delay. Lab tests and simple x-rays, same day service. More complicated scans, 2-3 days notice. Why wait months for a scan you can have, affordably while abroad, then either that solves/specifies the problem, or, you take it for UK advice, NHS or private. For instance, I went private in London with my legs, and the consultant was amazed I had forgotten to bring with me some x-rays. He wrote down what to bring with me for next time, so I only paid a consultation. My heart consultant said while abroad I could always send her an ECG for interpretation, etc.
I chose to have a cataract operated on in Switzerland, because it was marginally cheaper, (I really trusted that doctor -- the operation was long and difficult) even with the current rate of exchange, and I then went to a cheap place in Austria for gentle walks, before getting the four week checkup.
Speed is obviously the plus of private care, but there are several drawbacks:
1. Joined-up care if you mix private and NHS. There is often a reluctance for NHS doctors to fully accept scans that aren't from their own hospital, let alone anywhere else. Conversely, your NHS scans will rarely be fully accessible to a doctor you see privately unless he is also an NHS consultant at the same hospital.
2. Private hospitals: Even if you have the money / insurance for private hospitals, the doctors I know would never have a major operation in a private hospital as opposed to the private wing of an NHS hospital. They are fine if everything goes smoothly but the ability to deal with problems just isn't there compared with an NHS ICU, and nor is the staff backup, which is why any problems are sent rapidly to the nearest NHS hospital.
3. Lack of MDTA meetings in the private sector: the Multi- Disciplinary Team Assessment is really important in making decisions on the best way forward and is now the gold standard. Both my cardiac interventions were decided on by a team of NHS experts. Without them it's just one consultant's decision.
What I have done very occasionally is to arrange a private consultation with the NHS consultant I wish to see, which can help to get more time for discussion or speed up an appointment. But overall it's the NHS with me all the way!
thanks, that's my understanding having bits and pieces done in different hospital and mixing private and NHS is almost frowned upon from experience. I know NHS takes longer, but if it needs doing you'll get it done without £££££ signs coming into the equation
Right about emergency backup. Private is fine for small stuff, but if something goes wrong you could be stuck with a huge bill.
I have recently experienced cardiology treatment both in private hospitals abroad and in the NHS hospital on my return to the United Kingdom. I was rushed to Cardiology hospital in Dhoraji, Gujarat, India when I had heart attack. There was basic technology of ECG in the rural town without an emergency hospital. The qualification of the doctor was the most important thing, as that saved me. I was fully treated within 4 hours as my pain had gone away and my heart was stable and normal again. The doctor prescribed the right medication but didn't yet know how serious the problem was and recommended I go to a bigger city and get angiography and angioplasty done. I was transported 400 miles to the city of Rajkot, Gujarat, India and was immediately seen by cardiology specialist in a cardiology hospital with new technology. They rushed me to carry out angiography and discussed the problem and recommended CABG operation. The expense so far was about 30,000 rupees, approximately £ 300.00. I was prescribed medication and it worked very well, then after 3 days I took the flight back to the United Kingdom. I started getting chest pain but it was less than what I first experienced in Dhoraji, India. I was admitted to the NHS Hospital by the ambulance team and the cardiologists did MRI scan and found that I can be treated very well by stent or medication only, there is no need for CABG operation. That was economical and sensible solution. I was hospitalised for about 3 weeks and had the benefit of the MRI scan and stent procedure by cardian specialists, also consultation with Cardiac doctor. I think the NHS has incurred lot more expense that what I would have incurred in a private hospital in India. The NHS does have massive investment in scanning and other technology as the government is committed to spending on the health of the nation with improved and modern scientific technology.
private consultation 
Cost of private treatment
Surprise discovery at private angiogram 
Seeking a private consultation
NHS Choice
