Private or NHS

[West80]

I have just been for my first appointment with the rheumatologist with suspected RA, I was wondering if it is worth going private or not, does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks sarah

[dtech]

I’m assuming the rheumatologist is doing further tests? Or proposing treatment? You don’t say what the result of the appointment was. So in answer to your question, in short, is no it’s not worth going private. If you have medical insurance once a diagnosis is made you will have to transfer to the NHS as they won’t pay as it’s a life long condition. And funding it yourself would be very expensive. So if you are happy with the NHS appointment, stick with it. One further thing is that most private consultants work in the NHS anyway. So you would probably find yourself seeing the same person😃. Hope this helps. I started private on my medical insurance then switched. Which is how I know by the way.

[weymouth321 in reply to dtech]

So can one pay for a one off session with a private Rheumy Consultant - in addition - to seeing your nhs Rheumy consultant ?

I rang the Rheumy Hepline 2 weeks ago , asking precisely this, ( as I’m back to square one regarding medication for the RA , hence desperate needing guaranteed time ). The Rheumy nurse told me = “ it’s all changed now, as if you do this, you’ll then have to pay for scans, X-rays, etc “.

Surely, that’s unethical ?

I’m confused..

[dtech in reply to weymouth321]

I think what the nurse meant, and I think she is correct, is that if you go to see a private consultant and they want scans, X-ray etc you would have to pay for them.

But if you see consultants on nhs then that is all covered.

So, as I think people say below. If you want a separate opinion and can afford it, then go private.

[weymouth321 in reply to dtech]

Thank you dtech ; Much appreciated- apologies for delay in responding to you.

[iongrill in reply to dtech]

I went private for diagnosis, the consultant recommended I see him on NHS thereafter as private medical does not cover chronic conditions like this.... I did MRI's to speed privately to speed up more detailed diagnosis, ultimatley did not help as the private and NHS hospitals systems were not linked. Do your research, find the best consultant in your area for your suspected condition and maybe get diagnosis done privately, and get referred to same hospital that consultant does their NHS work.

I am extremely happy with level of treatment under NHS. If there is anything to criticise, takes 18month+ to jump through hoops to get onto Biologics (they cost around £10k per annum so you need to demonstrate your commitment to treatment and they have to exhaust cheaper options that do work for some people, DMARDS like methotrexate. A 6 month delay in biologics for those that do need them has been shown to result in long-term damage, certainly the case for me, though 3 years later, I am on my 2nd biologic Cosentyx and for me, it has been fantastic, 90% reduction in symptoms, got my energy and health back, lost 16kg, cycling again and at gym 3 - 5 times a week. Previously was sleeping 16 hours a day, chronic fatigue, couldn't lean over to cycle, couldn't run and stumbled stepping off a curb.

[oldtimer]

I went private for a first appointment as it was such a long wait - it was still six weeks! (This was after I had moved areas and had to start with a new system.) But I made sure that it was with someone with a local NHS post so that I could transfer. There is just no way that you could manage Rheumatoid Disease without the NHS, even if it is underfunded and understaffed.

[West80]

Thats great, thanks! I still have to go back for ultrasounds, podiatrist and physio etc but someone said ooh you should go private and it wasn’t really something i had considered! Not actually been diagnosed yet but theres defo something going on!! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[NeonkittyUK]

I had an initial consultation on my Bupa 20 years ago but when it became apparent how many appointments and X-rays and treatment and meds you need on a regular basis, Bupa weren't prepared to fund all these routine things and especially so when you get stable. My rheumy said I would not be left waiting for appointments so no need to use my Bupa. Bupa told me they will fund any operations I need and my recovery process etc as my RA was not a pre/existing condition when I joined Bupa, but not the 4 monthly check ups and they certainly won't pay for expensive meds and injections/infusions I was told. I may get frustrated at the admin side of the NHS but the rheumatology consultants and team are excellent.

[dtech in reply to NeonkittyUK]

I did same thing with BUPA

[medway-lady]

I went private as Council paid for us. But I then saw same guy on NHS and even now still make private appt. if I feel its best for me. Selfish in a way but its my money and convienent.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to medway-lady]

In the same way I pay my annual Bupa and have used it to be seen quickly for other issues and have had non R's related procedures so I pay a hefty annual direct debit but like you with your private rheumy appointment, one I feel I still want to make. It's whatever you feel happiest with. One thing I do not feel happy with is being shouted at by a stressed nurse on a helpline, which is a whole different post and she wouldn't be allowed to do so if it was a Bupa appointment that's for sure!

[medway-lady in reply to NeonkittyUK]

I so agree and its about time, the NHS in my local hospital is good but third world, prisioners in handcuffs and I walked out the loo at midnight into my sons friend who was chained to an addict. He and his chum ate my sweets at 4.00am then read my paper and did some selfies. Been on duty for 8 hours chained up, but the Renal Hospital was lovely and so now taking over my RA care as well becuase of kidney failure it means a longer journey but its a much quieter hospital as no A&E and very rural. I think that like me you need to use the private section and don't forget that you can see same person in both sectors. I just like the ability to talk to the doctor and ask questions as they look at me not at the computer. Yes we're lucky, but are we as we do pay for private as well as NHS.

[Rubyroo1]

Hi, I went Private at first as the wait was too long (5-6 months)on the NHS, luckily I have Bupa through work. One word of warning though, just check with your provider, if you have one, what they will pay for, I checked that I had authorisation for Xrays, a steroid injection and ultrasounds, before I had them done. I think that generally most Private medical insurers wont pay for on-going chronic conditions, luckily Bupa paid for 4 appointments, Xrays, ultrasounds and the steroid injection (didn't do me much good !) . They won't pay for meds but I was lucky that my GP put them on an NHS prescription, privately they weren't that expensive and actually for the amount of tablets prescribed I think, it would have been cheaper privately, the chemist costed them for me. I now have a pre-payment prescription card at just over £10 per month, easy to apply for. I was lucky that the doctor I saw suggested that I go over to his list on the NHS, which I have done, he sorted an appointment for me within 3 weeks of my last private appointment. If paying for it myself I think the appointments were approx £170 per consultation, but initial consult was about £250. I amnow waiting for my second appointment, BIG SIGH, the NHS at my local hospital unfortunately make it so complicated and have too many people involved, that trying to get an appointment is like pulling teeth !

Good luck with it all !