Laparoscopy-private and NHS

[sklaas]

Hi, I'm new to this, and only recently got diagnosed with endometriosis. Doctor said the waiting list for a laparoscopy is atleast 16 months and I just can't keep suffering that long. I'm considering going private, but my question is- if I go private. if I ever end up needing a 2nd laparoscopy, will I be able to do it via NHS? Or there's no going back once you go private..

[Thelma21]

Yes you can be put back to NHS , i can understand why you want to go private 16 months is just too long of a wait , have you considered asking your Gp to refer you to other NHS hospitals with shorter waiting list you might have to travel a bit , good luck

[sklaas in reply to Thelma21]

I'm in NI, as far as I know there's only 1 specialist here and he's the only one who can operate hence the long list I will ask them though, thanks X

[finlayargyle in reply to sklaas]

I'm ni too - who/where is the specialist?

[sklaas in reply to finlayargyle]

Hey, so sorry have been away for a awhile and only saw your comment today.. It'd DR David Hunter in Belfast. I had him in the Mater Hospital, but I think he also works in the Belfast City and does private in the Ulster Clinic. Hope this helps

[S-Joys in reply to sklaas]

Do you know whether Dr Hunter treats endo with excision or ablation? I had a consultation with another NI doctor today who offered me a lap on the NHS but said he uses a laser to burn off what he can and may also use excision and would decide when he sees the extent but would most likely be a mix. He said as the endo has become apparent due to fertility issues, he would only do the minimum amount of surgery to solve that problem rather than attempt to remove all the endo. I also have it on the bowel, which he said he wouldn't touch as that's not causing me great pain at the moment. This raised a lot of red flags for me so now considering paying for a private lap but trying to decide who to book based on excision rather than ablation which seems to have poorer outcomes.

[Hotmama11 in reply to sklaas]

Dr Glenn in SE Trust is also a specialist. Dr Moohan in Northwest as well. Bad experience with Dr H. Had to complain.

[lerosethorn in reply to Hotmama11]

I’m about to do the same thing about dr. Hunter, did you get any outcomes from the complaint? I had a terrible experience with him yesterday.

[Edelmccreanor in reply to lerosethorn]

Hi lerosethorn I'm on a waiting list to see dr hunter. Just wondering what you experience was with him. It's ok if you don't want to share x

[lerosethorn in reply to Edelmccreanor]

Hi Edel, I spent a very long time waiting for my appointment despite visiting the A&E in chronic pain several times. Doctor Hunter refused to see me as an urgent case until another consultant wrote to him on my behalf. I finally got my lap and he refused to investigate anything other than endo and said my existing PCOS and tilted womb conditions ‘weren’t a problem’ and ‘didn’t cause pain’. I can definitely say they do. He has referred me on to someone else now, so the trauma of surgery and pinning my hopes on this were pointless, sadly. I’ve written a complaint and asked to be referred for a second opinion from a female consultant.

[Edelmccreanor in reply to lerosethorn]

Hi many thanks for replying. Oh I hope you get a second opinion. It takes so long to get answers and help I think 🙁

[Hotmama11 in reply to lerosethorn]

Only seeing this now, sorry. Would you believe that an internal investigation was set up into how I was treated (it was that bad) back in 2016 and I have yet to hear the outcome. The case investigators reported back to the Trust late last spring but no-one has bothered to let me know the outcome. Best thing I did was get away from him...although my issues are different. Did you get any reply or satisfactory outcome from your complaint? I find he has a lack if real appreciation of what his patients are actually experiencing and trying to live with, perhaps a bit desensitized with a fair dollop of professional pride there hindering giving women the best advice and treatment possible ie lack of willingness to refer you to a different expert for another opinion

[Laughin in reply to Hotmama11]

Hi sorry that this is a long time since your original post but I’ve had an unbelievable experience with Dr Hunter so surreal that another Dr has recently said that it was impossible. Would you be able to update on any outcome

[Andiepand in reply to Laughin]

Hi, did you have a good experience with dr hunter?

[ForABabyPanda in reply to Hotmama11]

Do you think there’s a chance that’s why he had to step away from the NHS - was he pushed rather than him choosing?

[xximilixx]

What is the cost of going private for something like this? Just curious, I'm a student right now so it's probably not even feasible but I'm just trying to prepare myself for being told I need to wait this long too...

[Thelma21 in reply to xximilixx]

Consultation £150-300 and survey 3.500-500 depending on hospital and region

[Thelma21 in reply to Thelma21]

Oops typo surgery I meant!!

[nicole_44]

I had my first lap done privately 3 weeks ago. Purely had it private due to waiting times on NHS. The pain was unbearable and I couldn't wait. Was the best descion I made and they treat me outstandingly. If you can afford I can't recommend enough!!

You can always go back to the NHS for further treatment.

Good luck Hun xx

[sklaas in reply to nicole_44]

Hopefully I won't need to but reading the threads here it seems like a lot of women have to go for several ops.. At least it's good to know, thanks! Hope your recovery is going well X

[Rcleary in reply to nicole_44]

Hi there, I was referred by my GP to Lagan Valley gynecology department a year ago and I still haven't heard a word. I would prefer to go private due to waiting times but I'm in University so I'm not sure if I could afford it. How do I go about getting referred for a lap on NHS? I feel like I've been on a waiting list for 1 year for no reason when I could have been waiting for a lap xx

[Dagniya in reply to nicole_44]

Hi Nicole!

Happy new year!!!

Hope you are well now.

I am on the waiting list for a lap... my GP had no idea how much I will wait for the surgery.

i am thinking to go private as well. Could you please tell me where did you do yours and the doctor's name?

How you feel now? How was the surgery?

Thank you a lot for your time.

Daniela

[rhia0901]

I also went privately as I couldn't bear the waiting times at the NHS. Was seen by a gynaecologist within 2 weeks and had the laparoscopy 2 weeks after then - best decision. If you can, I would definitely go privately, the service is excellent and you get seen to very quickly. I think the consultation fee was £150 though I don't know how much the surgery was as the insurers paid for that part.

[aimee_h59]

hello, of your doctor has deemed your situation non urgent on the NHS they have to get you in 18 weeks after your consultation which I know is still a long time but better than 16 months. They have guidelines to stick to even of they are under staffed.

[Heloo85]

If you need major surgery I'm not sure a private hospital will touch you. I had my first lap at a private hospital and was in theatre a whole 5 mins (id signed for diagnosis and treatment). If you have other organ involvement, you will need a team of surgeons .. I was put on the priority list for surgery and still had to wait 12 months! It's a bummer and I'm still not right and under further investigations.

[Heloo85 in reply to Heloo85]

Mine was under the NHS at a private hospital .. But as far as I'm aware, they don't have ICU or any provisions in place to deal with emergencies so don't under-take major surgery. If it's just mild to moderate endo that needs treating, get it done if you can afford it or have the insurance. You can always go back under the NHS. And not everyone will need repeat surgeries.

[sklaas in reply to Heloo85]

Sounds like you had a tough time. I'm not sure what extent mine is, they can only see a large cyst in my left ovary, but the pain is in pretty much my whole abdomen, from the ribs down. I'll go for a private consultation anyway and see what they say first. Thanks for the info

[Heloo85 in reply to sklaas]

Have you been diagnosed via lap or ultrasound cuz although an ultrasound can show some, it very rarely correlates with the extent! Will the one in 16 months be your first lap, if so, that's ridiculous! You should at least have a first diagnostic lap with possible treatment, before then! No chance you could try a UK hospital with shorter waiting lists! Would be a bummer if you booked private, they opened you up, then realised you was too extensive to treat!

[Heloo85 in reply to Heloo85]

Especially as you're paying for it! Like I said, my first lap via NHS was private, diagnostic one .. That took a couple of months .. well weeks when the GP realised I was in a bad way (my endo caused PID and that was what I was originally diagnosed with). Try go private but I'm the NHS

[Heloo85 in reply to Heloo85]

My first ultrasound showed a hydrosalphinx and fluid in my bowel loops .. No cysts or anything was noted.. And like I said, I was such a mess they just shut me back up. Then I had a second ultrasound before my second surgery that according to the sonographer showed absolutely nothing! To the point my new surgeon was trying to talk me out of surgery, then marked me down for endo and adhesion removal .. 'intermediate' surgery! It only turned to major surgery during theatre, when they realised the sonographer was talking complete BS! I really wouldn't go off ultrasound!

[sklaas in reply to Heloo85]

Oh gosh sounds like a nightmare! I've only ever had scans-I went to a&e 3 times because the pain was that bad and had temperature-they diagnosed PID the first time, then a ruptured cyst the 2nd time (as I had fluid in the abdomen during the scan) then 3rd time the cyst was still there but a lot bigger and fluid also present, so they didn't know what it was. So had a follow up with a gynae doc, by then the fluid in the abdomen was gone, but cyst had changed shape, my CA125 levels were up so she referred me for a ct scan and also did a referral to an endo specialist. I got the appointment for the CT scan straightaway, but then it was cancelled and changed for MRI, appointment for which I've been waiting on for the last 4 months, still nothing. Seen the endo specialist, who scanned me about 2 weeks ago (ultrasound) said it was endo straightaway. Then I was told about the waiting list. I'm still waiting on the MRI. The gynae doc hasn't really followed anything up with me, and i only got referred to the specialist, when I pressed her about what is wrong with me and whether it could be endo. So overall it' been really confusing.

[Heloo85 in reply to sklaas]

You sound exactly like me, except you had way better care! But that's exactly how I was! I did have PID as gum clinic did a slide, but it come back clear for STIs, but no one run a culture! No doubt, especially with your level of pain you will be a mess inside. If you do decide to go the private route, ask them and make sure they can deal with such a complicated case of endometriosis before you pay up! I've got a feeling though they might not do! Mine didnt/wouldn't and ultimately I was left for nhs to pull their finger out! I'd say it gets easier but id be lying and even though I've had surgery I'm no better and back under another colorectal surgeon! I honestly feel for you! Although I've been through it, I'm also starting to see light at the end of the tunnel! Hopefully 😂😂

[sklaas in reply to Heloo85]

I will do, thanks! It seems there's no easy fix for endo, unfortunately. Good luck with your treatment and hopefully you get sorted soon

[Heloo85 in reply to sklaas]

Same to you! It will be a tough slog but if I can do it, so can you! (If private won't touch you). Chin up and carry on. Stronger than we look us women but I agree it's disgusting the time we have to wait! Especially when only a few years ago, how our endo presented would've resulted in emergency surgery! Now it's just treat like a walk in the park!

[Heloo85 in reply to sklaas]

P.s I'm not sure if the private hospital refused to treat me cuz I was an NHS patient but I definitely signed a consent form for diagnostics and treatment for whatever they found. Never really looked into private again after that as I knew it would cost a fortune as I needed a gynea, colon guy and a urologist present!

[ForABabyPanda in reply to Heloo85]

Did you feel betrayed that they opened you up and didn’t treat you during your diagnostic lap? I still have trauma from a difficult surgery recovery knowing that it was all for nothing and I’d have to go through it all again in short order

[J3llyt0t]

Hi, I am in NI also. I am 7 weeks out from my second lap for endo. I'm guessing you must be talking about Dr Hunt out of Belfast city? There is also a specialist at SWAH in Enniskillen who i am under although he can not do complicated surgery. I think you must have been placed on the routine list to wait so long. Also it is almost impossible to get an endo specialist in NI privately, I have never been able to locate one. NI is very poor for endometriosis care and diagnosis

[S-Joys in reply to J3llyt0t]

Hi, can I ask how long you waited for your lap? My consultant seemed to think it would be less than a 3 month wait but from reading everything on here, I'm losing faith that was based on anything concrete. (Esp as they 'misplaced' my MRI results twice. Luckily I paid privately for the scans so was able to obtain copies directly from the private clinic but I'm not filled with confidence in the system)

[sklaas in reply to S-Joys]

Hi, I was told I'd have a 16month wait for my lap, so I actually went overseas to get it done and it was a matter of 3weeks-but I went privately. You might be lucky enough and get it sooner don't Be disheartened by the others experience. The consultant would usually know best. We only really have 1 specialist here in NI, so if the endo is serious or severe he's the only one who can operate.

Best of luck with your surgery

[Hotmama11 in reply to sklaas]

I thought Dr Glenn in the SE Trust and Dr Moohan in Northwest were also "specialists" in NI. Very bad experience with Dr H.

[S-Joys in reply to Hotmama11]

Can I ask what your experience was with Dr H? Did you have any surgery with him? I'm on his list so be good to know other's experiences.

[Hotmama11]

It was his attitude and conduct. He shouted at me in consultation, refused me treatment and ignored me when my problems persisted. I did nothing. Am polite but I did ask questions. Seems you get a bit of treatment with him, maybe a bit more if the first doesn't work but then he seems to "wash his hands" of you. I personally think he could put a bit more pressure on the powers that be to have his patients treated quicker. To me it suits him that lists are so long because it keeps his private practice ticking over nicely....call me a cynic!

[ForABabyPanda in reply to Hotmama11]

lol he’s left the nhs now and doesn’t take bupa so he’s definitely raking in the cash

[Afrohair]

This thread was written 3 years ago