What is the cost of private heart surgery? (mitral valve repair/replacement + CAGB & 'maze' procedure)

[howiebaby]

[patch14]

Hello howiebaby. Do you need to go privately? Are you a UK citizen? Surely you should be able to get such an important operation on the NHS! Are you concerned that there is a delay in you having the operation and you feel you need to go privately to get it sooner? Have you spoken to your GP about options?

[howiebaby in reply to patch14]

Yes I'm a UK citizen who has paid over 50yrs contributions into 'the system'. The only reason for asking is, as u say, to get it done sooner. Have just been for 'pre-admission' tests @ Harefield & was told 'op' could still be upto 6mths away due to consultants availability. My problems started in May '12 & in Aug I had a TIA (mini-stroke). The 'waiting-game' is making my anxiety levels worse which is also not good. Good idea about speaking to my GP - I'll certainly follow this up!

Thanx for your response!!

[smithy]

hi Howie......Patch is right, IF you are entitled to NHS treatment, speak to your GP about options,. however if you want to do get it done privately anyway, then a simple google on 'private heart surgery' will give you a wealth of info.

I was looking at the private option a while ago for a cabg, and found loads of places in UK to get it done, but that it is actually cheaper to go abroad (Not the states), have a 2 or 3 week hol with your partner, and get first class treatment, than it is to get the procedure done in the UK!!!

All private options will need a referral from your GP and if you have them lots of the test results you have......Copies of angiograms etc.

BUT remember......speak to GP first.

All the best

Tony

[howiebaby in reply to smithy]

Hi smithy. Thanx to u & 'patch' I will be taking the matter up with my GP. I'll also 'google' as u suggest (I originally put in a much too detailed question).

The only problem @ mo is, that because of my heart condition, I've been advised NOT to fly!!

Thanx again, howie

[Hidden]

Hi howiebaby,

about going abroad to get it done: you have to look really carefully. I was exercising this option thru to get my teeth done. I found a lot of tempting offers especially in eastern european countries. But... , even if you assume that they give you the state of the art treatment und you save 1,000 to 2,000 pound, what if there are any complications and you need to stay longer far away from home, does ALL the personnel really speaks english fluent enough to understand your concerns and needs, what about follow ups, do they send all your files to your GP or local hospital and is it all in english?

After considering all those points I decided to have my teeth done in the UK. Even if it looks a bit more expensive in the first place, the overall risk of having it done abroad is not worth a few hundred quid - and I still talk about teeth which in the worst case just hurt; what about your heart?

Another point is, when they offer their services abroad, you get the high gloss picture, like in a holiday catalogue, but can you check with a real person who got himself treated over there, how good they really are?

So, if you think about that option, check it out carefully. Good luck

[howiebaby in reply to Hidden]

Thanks kraut! I certainly wouldn't consider going abroad for this type of surgery. Wouldn't want to be away from friends & family. Anyway I'm under the care of Harefield Hosp (one of, if not THE best, heart hospitals in the UK). My only concern is the waiting time recently quoted of 'upto 6 mths'.