Private Consultation?

[Juliec27]

I went for diabetic review blood test and readings indicate I have had a heart attack. Dr gave ECG and have been referred to hospital for tests on July 2nd. Both husband and myself are concerned, should I ask to go privately to get a faster appointment. I am still working full time in office job and am 68.

[Maisie2014]

Hello Juliec27. I would ask GP why the long wait for appointment? Why do they think you’ve had a heart attack? Yes the NHS is bad but they do tend to move if it’s urgent. Tell GP how worried you and hubby are. I think we still have a postcode lottery where some illnesses are concerned. Check on NHS website to find out about waiting times for your area before spending money on private. I hope everything turns out ok for you.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I was in a very similar position as you, and it’s a v worrying time. So I went privately, to be seen more quickly. and got very poor advice (‘there’s nothing wrong with your heart’). When I was taken in a v short time later, as an emergency, the notes and test results I’d had from the Private consultation were not available to the NHS team.

Not sure what I’d do if I was you, it’s a dilemma. But do take quick action and get an ambulance if you get any more worrying heart symptoms in the meantime,

Keep well!

[willsie01]

if going private would not seriously affect your financial position or you are prepared to accept it doing so, I would go for it. I have recently been diagnosed as requiring bypass surgery at the age of 71 and had just retired a couple of weeks before. If I had still been working I would have paid for treatment but now I tell myself that’s extravagant as I can wait.

[dunestar]

It's a difficult dilemma. I was in the NHS system chugging along with various tests and got a diagnosis of "possible microvascular disease" and was discharged back to my GP. I couldn't get an early GP appointment to discuss where we were, so I hopped into the private sector and had a consultation with a specialist in the field. I saw him three times in all and he confirmed the diagnosis and tweaked my medication. It was worth the expense for me.

It cost me £250 for the initial consultation and £200 for the other two. But if you get into tests and such like then the cost can rocket pretty quickly.

You may be able to jump back and forth between the NHS and the private side. But my GP clearly didn't like me consulting someone privately and I fell out with him. There is also the issue of communication. You can find yourself in a situation where nobody has the full story of your case. You may need to make sure you are given all your results so you can pass on the information to whoever is treating you at the time.

Another point, I would only ever consult a doctor privately in an NHS setting, particularly if you are having a procedure or op. You then have the backing of the NHS service if things go wrong.

[Hidden]

Were you offered choose and book for your next consultation?

[Hidden]

Hi Julie, unfortunately the tests any cardiologist would need you to have, at least an echocardiogram £300 are very expensive and angiography, if required, runs into thousands. However, a private appointment(around £180 initial plus EGG about £60, might give you peace of mind, and could springboard you to have tests in the NHS more quickly if required.

If you decide to go ahead you can usually be seen within 10 days, but you must remember to say at the end of your appointment, that any further tests / treatment will need to be under the NHS.

Someone else in this thread has asked if you have used NHS Choices where you can search to see if you can be seen sooner outside your area if you are willing to travel.

Hope this helps

Pat x

[Juliec27]

Hi my blood test was 44 the best it has been for a while have been told that a reading was high and had ecg at doctors and again at hospital out patients. Knowing very little is what’s concerning me. My doctor is on holiday but I have left message. I had a pacemaker fitted at Christmas.