Private Consultation

[Lornalost89]

Hi all.

Looking for advice/ info from any one who has been to a private consultation.

Long story short, I have been referred to a endo specialist centre by my local consultant, I got my appoint through for begining July, which moved to 6th August and which has now moved to 30th August.

I'm desperate at this point so I reached out and I can pay privately to see the same specialist THIS WEEK.

What I'm looking for is, has anyone had an initial consultation privately with the SAME consultant they are under on the NHS and if so was it beneficial? Did they review any notes/ records you currently have? My consultant basically told me (as I'm through with having children etc and my bowel is attached to my cervix etc) I'm best to have a hysterectomy. I'm wondering if getting my consultation done private ( 6 months prior to my nhs appointment) will this add me to the nhs surgical waiting list earlier or will this private appointment not affect where I am on the NHS list.

Aby help appreciated x

[Tangoandmax]

I’m in the same boat, but without children and still want to try my best to preserve fertility. Not sure if it’s too late but would be interested to see if the paying private for inital consult would speed up. Like you I’m on the endo centre with estimated appointment due August! Can pay to see the same consultant next week though, absolutely ridiculous.

[AllthatGlitters]

Hello I have had a private consultation which cost me £200, you often see the private doctor who also works for the NHS. The good thing about private is that you can go onto say the Bupa website and choose which consultant you want to see. I find the appointment isn’t as hurried as the NHS. Once at your consultation you can ask what surgical list they will put you on such as urgent or category 1 etc. tell them you can’t afford private for scans and surgery and they will pop you onto the NHS waiting list. As for seeing your NHS notes, I have been told that as it’s separate from the NHS, they don’t have access to your notes. Hope that helps x

[Lornalost89 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you. I actually have a copy of my most recent surgical report and MRI report and just awaiting the MRI images coming through so was hoping I could take these with me.

I just dont want to pay for the appointment for it to be pointless if I'm just getting added to a 3yr waiting list for surgery 🙈

I can no way afford private surgery 😭

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Lornalost89]

When I have seen the consultant I have said my symptoms are so bad and listed them obviously and told the doctor I can’t wait a year (which was before covid) & she told me what list she would put me on, not the urgent as that’s for cancer patients but the category 1 which I believe is within 3 months x

[Lornalost89 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you. The private appointment is with the same consultant I am due to see in August (it will have been almost a years wait from my refferral to my initial appointment) and I'm just and breaking point now. My GP is no help and my local hospital have just advised me to wait and discharged me from their clinic 🙈 I didn't know what else to do but can't afford to throw money into the wind unfortunately x

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Lornalost89]

I do have another idea for you which I have also done previously! Get in touch with the gynaecology secretary & either speak to them or email them, ask to get a note to the consultant about how bad your symptoms are and ask for an appointment asap?

You can also ask your GP but as you have said they are of no help, can you email your Gp practice asking for you to be expedited to gynaecology? X

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Lornalost89]

What part of the country are you in/NHS board?

[Lornalost89 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

I am in the North West, being seen in North East, I did message and ask for a sooner appointment even to be added to the cancellation list but unfortunately they said thats the earliest 😭, and with being 3hrs away I need a bit of notice for a cancellation. Its crazy what we need to go through. I dont feel like I can even go to my GP anymore as I worry they think im nuts!! X

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Lornalost89]

The way I see it with the GP is if it’s not me phoning them it’s someone else, so you shouldn’t feel bad about contacting them x

[Scoutybob]

I think there's a lot of us in this horrible position. To my knowledge, it doesn't speed up where you are on the NHS surgery list - otherwise a lot of people would do the same thing I think. I've had a similar conversation with a private clinic. Offered an appointment within 2 weeks and surgery potential within 6-8 weeks max. But NHS for same consultant is 18-24 months.

[Janeflowers]

Hi , I’m I. York and have been waiting almost 2 years for surgery. It would be the same consultant if I went private. Your notes can be passed to a private consultant with a GP referral, and yes you can have the MRI , consultation done However it will not change your place on an NHS waiting list for consultation or surgery .

[Axolotl23]

Hi. My waiting time to see Endo specialist is 80 weeks (Edinburgh). I 'gave up' at week 30 and went to see a specialist privately who is a member of the NHS team as well. £200 wasted. He basically summarised everything I know already during the appointment and did not add me to the NHS waiting list for surgery. So I am having to continue to wait for my NHS specialist so that she can add me to the surgery list. Perhaps, you'll have a better experience and I hope all goes well whatever you decide to do.

[Comedykid]

hi so I have gone private for a different circumstance to you but I was told that if I was referred back to the NHS then it would be same wait times as the NHS surgery whereas I am having surgery in May/June this year privately - I can’t afford to pay for the surgery out right so am doing a payment plan with the hospital (might be an option I don’t know). I hope it goes well for you

[Sunset-lady]

Hi, I had an abandoned hysterectomy last September when they found my bowel attached to my cervix. They referred me to the endometriosis clinic (also north east) and I got a letter through for July 2025. I decided to go private and it was a great decision. I saw him the following week; I had a full hour with the him, and he was great. I then had a private MRI scan (the wait on the NHS would have been months). From this he changed my medication and wrote to the gynae ward to tell them what to do. This bit is important as although you can't move up the NHS list (and rightly so) they can provide a treatment plan for you while you wait to see them on the NHS. The consultant took me straight off provera and onto Zoladex on the NHS. I started this on 29th December. By getting everyone aligned: your GP, gynaecology consultant and endo consultant you can get help. In July I will see him and he will move me into his clinic so I can be on zoladex longer should I need it. This is what I would do. See the specialist (take your photos and all of your questions with you. Take your partner too to help you remember it all). Then decide on a course of action. Good luck xxx

[Lornalost89]

Thanks everyone.

I think I will keep it's. My main question is not as such jumping up the NHS waiting list but if I have an initial private consult. Do I then need my NHS consult (with same dr) in August or do we just agree the plan at the private appointment it's confusing hopefully I can ask some questions before booking x

[Sunset-lady in reply to Lornalost89]

You need to keep your NHS appointments because any further treatment with him will be on NHS. If I had zoladex privately it would cost hundreds for each injection. I also think if you have endometriosis you need to be on their books x

[JOSANDY40]

That is a werid reply from a Consultant!You need to see a Endometriosis Specialist Surgeon. Mine has now gone private. You will need a letter from your doctor for the referral to this private Specialist. If you did manage to get pregnant which is difficult enough it would be born early by C section. A Hysto is the last result the newest thoughts they now realise that it often doesn't stop Endometriosis and possibly creates new issues. The site of your Endo around the bowel is becoming more common as are the numbers of women who have Endometriosis and some men too, found in Prostate operation.

I believe my Specialist moved to Imperial College W6 G Rose. Take letters with you.

Best wishes

[Lornalost89]

Thank you all.

I think I will have the private appointment even to see if they can give advice on pain management (I'm really at the peak of struggling at the moment) I know we all have our struggles and the waits are horrendous I just don't know what will help in the meantime x