Private consultation then NHS referral

[Lp150a]

Hi, I'm seeing a a consultant gynae tomorrow who has a special interest in endo. My gp said he also works for the NHS at my local hospital. Anyway, my private health insurance only covers the consultation. If I need any treatment am I within my rights to ask to be accepted as an NHS patient? Any advice or experience welcome. Thanks for reading x

[HikerGirl]

Yeah that’s exactly how I’ve done it, they’ll refer you to the nhs for any tests or surgery. In the meantime I PAYG for any consultations as it’s a 5 month waiting list on NHS vs 2 week privately ... no brainier really 😣

[Crispy69]

Hi. I work for the NHS.

Short answer, yes you can be referred for NHS treatment based on the findings of your private consultation. If you get any pushback say it is your right to exercise patient choice.

A word of warning though. The NHS consultant may not agree with your private consultant’s diagnosis and want to do their own tests. But at least you’ll be on an NHS pathway. Be conscious of the long waiting times. Also stand your ground if any tests come back negative. Stress that you are in pain and it is having a major impact on your life.

I wish you good luck on your path to a pain free life.

[luthien]

Yes, you can, quite a few women on here have done that to reduce costs.

A quick google search of your consultants name will show where they work in the NHS and their specialism so you have an idea, hopefully it's the same as they offer privately and somewhere near you.

You should be able to ask at your consultation; also ask how long his wait times are (they can be shorter or longer than NHS standard) and does he do the same surgery under the NHS - rules may be different (due to funding), like private he could do diagnostic lap with excision of endo at the same time, under NHS it could be diagnostic then rebook for ablation of endo in another op, so you may need to actually say you'd like to be offered the same as private if possible.