Possible quicker referral/treatment

I spoke to a consultant today (it was for my husband) who explained the NHS pick and choose scheme. We could wait 6 months for the op he needs in the local hospital or ask to see the same consultant in the Spire who will do the op with about a month wait. The NHS pay the same money to the private hospital as they would in the local one, as it is intended to get waiting times down - but isn’t being utilised fully.

A lot of GPs don’t explain or push this service but as long as the NHS consultant is working in an NHS approved private location you can ask to see them there instead. Maybe worth exploring for all of you who have been experiencing horrifically long waits! Or also ask your consultant if they practice elsewhere and could see you there instead.

Husbands consultant is writing to our GP to ask for the referral to be done to him at the Spire, which sounds like it will be the longest part of the process!

Just thought it maybe of use to some of you!

[hm89]

This happened for my first lap but not due to waiting times. I had been to my local nhs gynae at 17 and been treated badly so when my symptoms got worse at 23 I just refused to go back to that hospital and they referred me to the spire. I had my first consultation a week later and my lap within a month. When I had a referral more recently this was at a different nhs hospital as I had relocated and it look about 3 months for a consultation and a further 5 for the lap.

[PurpleSparkles]

So my GP pushed this for my referral as they wanted me seen faster than they knew would happen on NHS. First appointment was very quick, but surgery had to wait a couple of months as they weren't allowed to schedule it any sooner by NHS rules. Might not always happen, but that's my experience.