NHS and CLL coverage: seeking advice

[gingerlovesal]

For those of you living in the UK we are moving to Scotland and I am seeking advice on NHS. Is this generally sufficient coverage for good care of CLL patients? Does one have access to quality services or is private insurance something we should really stretch to consider? My husband had FCR for CLL a year ago and is doing well. Grateful for your advice.

[Marblemaze]

Hi. I’m in Scotland. You probably need to look at availability/cost of insurance set against the limited private health system in Scotland. I have health insurance through my job: (a) it hasn’t really been useful for CLL (and the NHS has been superb) but (b) I have used it to speed up investigations for other things.

In general in my view the NHS is very good for serious conditions like CLL (and I am humbled by the resource which has been focussed on me). But at times you do need to be prepared to be your own researcher and advocate to get the best out of it.

Good luck with your move.

[aloneifly in reply to Marblemaze]

It may be difficult to get private cover for CLL as it's a pre existing condition.Dependant upon how long diagnosed.

I am in UK and have private but it doesn't cover my CLL.

NHS are brilliant with any sort of cancer.

So I am sure you will be in good hands whatever part of Scotland you are going to.

I'm from Glasgow but live in Sussex.

Good luck with the move and your health

[gingerlovesal in reply to aloneifly]

Thank you aloneifly, you are corroborating marblemaze and so super.

[John_EDN in reply to aloneifly]

Hi gingerlovesal,

I can back up what has already been said. We're in Edinburgh and I have been a "satisfied customer" of the haematology team at the Western General for over four years of W&W and with first line treatment about to start.

I don't have private health insurance and don't feel the need for it as my experience of the NHS in Scotland is much better than it was in London - access and waiting time (for non-CLL conditions) was never a big issue for me pre Covid, and my GP has been very responsive even during the last nine months.

It's stating the obvious, but depending on exactly where you land up you may have significant distance to travel to see your husband's specialist. That'll be the case regardless of whether you try and go private. It wouldn't be an issue in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee etc, but it's worth considering if you're headed for the highlands!

I hope that helps - best of luck with your move to the Auld Country and it's good to hear that your husband is doing well.

[gingerlovesal in reply to John_EDN]

Hi John! Thank you so much and so great to have more confirmation. of Scotland's NHS performance. We'll be in Edinburgh--thank you for the warm welcome and reassuring post. Good luck with your treatment--my husband's went without a glitch and he's in a good strong remission now--assuming this will be your positive path too.

[gingerlovesal in reply to Marblemaze]

Thank you so much this has been very helpful. I really appreciate it.