Pay for consultant

[christina1947]

My urgent GP referral to cardiac consultant was apparently put on the routine list by the triage consultant I was Told this am 6 months waiting Any opinions please do I pay 200 for next week appointment or seek treatment advice through my GP Money would Stop there so I would not be able to pay for test or anything else private xxx

[stevejb1810]

How much is it worth to you to have peace of mind? Is it worth £200? It’s entirely your call. Having this appointment does not commit you to going private for any further procedures and the medical care you get will be no better - but it might just be quicker.

[Casper020918]

It is usually frowned upon for someone to go private to 'queue jump' or to chop and change between private and NHS. There are long waiting lists at a lot of hospitals including mine, and the consultant would have looked st your GP letter carefully to decide it was a routine referral. I don't know what your symptoms are or why you were referred, but if you get any symptoms which are particularly worrying i would go to A&E.

[Heather1957 in reply to Casper020918]

I couldn't care less if it were frowned upon, even if that was the case, by who? It is not queue jumping as the majority of consultants have 'private' days often on a Saturday so no NHS patient is effected.

I stayed with the NHS throughout my procedure BUT would have no problem paying the £200 if at least the consultant could reassure me.

You won't be 'bumping' anyone and the majority of people wouldn't make any negative comments, I am sure they would understand.

Anyway, I thing £200 is a bargain - I thought it was more.

[Casper020918 in reply to Heather1957]

Where i am private consultations are around £150 it's any onward test which costs, and a lot of these are carried out in NHS hospitals even if paid for privately.

[Heather1957 in reply to Casper020918]

But who frowns upon it? Would you?

I looked into having an angiogram privately as I had paid out for an expensive business class holiday to Australia and NZ and if it wasn't for the fact that the result of the angiogram could result in further procedures I would have done it.

As it was I had to cancel the holiday and make a claim against the holiday insurance and wait for everything on the NHS, which turned out to be the best choice.

Anything to do with the heart is frightening as we all know, if someone has the good fortune to be able to pay £200 for some peace of mind I say go for it.

The issues with the NHS is for another time.

[Casper020918 in reply to Heather1957]

I work for the nhs, in cardiology. Our consultants don't like patients chopping and changing. There are of course those who wouldctake patients money without questio! Where possible they recommend nhs, especially where patients have no insurance. It can be very costly. Many heart conditions are slow to develop and this isn't always explained.

[Heather1957 in reply to Casper020918]

Now your comment surprises me as I have had this conversation with those also in the 'know' and they advise very different to you.

I went through the whole process on the NHS and apart from the attitude of the agency cardiology nurses after my op I have no issues.

I think it is up to us, the customers, to do the research first and know what is being paid for and that which is not. I certainly looked at all the possible costs.

I am somewhat 'gobsmacked' to see that there are consultants who are unhappy with the paying public, not at all what I heard.

[Bagrat]

If it gives you peace of mind it's worth it I feel. Make it clear from the outset you can't afford any tests. This may mean the Consultant is unable to help as much as you would like however if he is concerned he will tell you. If some tests have already been ordered by GP or can be ( echo holter moniter etc) better to get those done first.

Apparently it is now preferred to do one test e.g. echo ( 8 week wait in our area) see result then decide whether to refer to cardiologist ( up tp 21 week wait) as more cost effective?? I too am a huge fan of NHS but after a 6 hour wait to see doc in A and E with my OH with chest and arm pain I feel for the staff. I am equally sure he would have been seen sooner if needed. We had to wait 2 hours with paramedics to even get in. Such a waste of resources.

[Lizzie20 in reply to Bagrat]

I was referred for a three day holter, apparently the department triage all requests from consultants and can change the length of the test to a shorter one unless consultant insists. I was told the wait was one month but ecg department put me in after 12 weeks after constant calls. I have found out it's the receptionists who deal with the appointments!!!!

[Bagrat in reply to Lizzie20]

We arw trying to expedite an echo at present for OH. He has annual ones but due to A and E visit GP wants one sooner. Sent 26 June not received yet. I involved PALS who were great but had no joy either and said it was a bit soon to expect anything but did give me fax no so surgery could resend if needs be.!! Your quality of life in their hands.

[Lizzie20 in reply to Bagrat]

I wonder if they realize playing with someones life is not acceptable. I was previously sent for a holter, but on ringing up was told an 18 week wait, the maximum they can keep you waiting, on talking to my consultant I received one within one week. It's always worth talking to consultants secretary or asking your doctor to intervene. I really do think they need to know.

[Qualipop in reply to Lizzie20]

I too have had to wait months for a holter monitor after developing fluttering heart beats. I was told they only have a few machines. However this is now putting on hold other procedures I need for a different problem, test which the consultant won't do without knowing what's wrong with my heart first. I finally get the monitor this Friday but how to "queue jump" that one when they simply don't have enough machines, I don't know.

[dunestar]

Difficult decision. On the one hand you could put your faith in the triage consultant. He has looked at your case and come to the conclusion it's not urgent. On the other hand 6 months is a long time to wait. Are you going to get stressed/anxious in this period and have a miserable time or are you OK with it. I suppose it boils down to whether it's worth £200 to have a quicker answer.

I don't agree with Casper020918 about queue jumping. Frowned on by whom? I'm a massive supporter of the NHS but if it's not able to serve me well and I can afford to go private then I will. There can be consequences of chopping and changing between private and NHS such as NHS GP surgeries don't have to accept private prescriptions and communication between the various parties can be problematic, but I think it's OK as a principle.

[Hidden]

It’s never straightforward is it? I worked as a nurse for the NHS for many years and can often be heard to say that if you cut me in two, NHS would be written through my core, but, on two occasions last year, I paid to see a consultant privately, as in my area interim services run by senior physios for orthopaedics, and by GP’s with additional training in cardiology for ‘non urgent’ heart conditions, have been introduced. I would argue that any heart condition feels urgent to the patient and any delay significantly increases the anxiety which occurs with any cardiac diagnosis. On both occasions I preferred to see the ‘organ grinder’!

I was lucky enough last year,to have my brother pay for two investigations (echo £300 & 24hour Holter monitor £300) as the consultant I paid to see asked if I was able to afford these so that he had enough diagnostic information to initiate treatment for my AF. I already had copies of my ECG’s from A&E which they gave me on diagnosis. I paid for a follow up appointment 2 weeks later with a repeat ECG to check that the treatment (Flecainide & Apixaban) was appropriate and not causing any further arrhythmia. (Initial appointment £165, follow up £125 plus additional £60 for ECG).

I certainly did not feel that I was ‘queue jumping’, as by going private, I released NHS appointment time for someone else. I had the correct treatment initiated within 2 weeks of diagnosis instead of waiting 8 weeks for the echo and specialist GP appointment. I am now back under NHS care & had a 7 day monitor as I was having dizzy spells. These have now resolved & I am doing well.

Hope this ramble helps with your decision.

Pat x

[Qualipop]

I had to pay privately to see a pain consultant some 18 years ago when the wait time for our local pain clinic was 12 months. I was totally bedridden and simply not prepared to wait that long in dreadful pain. I saw the consultant and he admitted me immediately ( on the NHS). . If it's necessary for your peace of mind then I wouldn't hesitate if you can afford it and your GP isn't able to hurry things up.

[Boharford]

I joined Benenden health care years ago small monthly cost. For most conditions if there is more than a 3 week NHS wait they will fund consultation and tests up to £1700. I used it when there was a 4 month wait for angiogram and I couldn't travel insurance until it was done. Meant I couldn't visit my son and new grandson. A Angiogram was too costly but they paid for a cardiac MRI which was £900. There is a 6 month wait for benefits- but some like a free 24/7 GP consultation starts straight away I think. I have also used their physio service and they have a 24/7 counselling service. If it isn't critical I usually wait out for NHS appointment .