Why pay for private medical treatment in the UK in 2010?

NHS waiting lists down, Choose and Book convenience - so why do so many still go private?

In the past few years, vast amounts of UK taxpayers' money have been spent on reducing NHS waiting times for hospital specialist consultations, scans and operations. But short waiting lists are only part of the overall level of service. What you actually get, after you've waited, is arguably much more important. There remain many advantages to private medical treatment.

Before your appointment

Getting it right from the beginning: Making sure we are the right specialist for you

We will phone you to check your medical history, and make sure we are the right specialist for your problem. You don't get this service from Choose and Book. You might end up wasting your own and NHS time by seeing the wrong specialist. Link to Guardian article on problems with NHS Choose and Book - Wrong Consultant.
With private treatment, an experienced qualified nurse will normally advise you what to expect before you come for your first appointment.
We will offer you a choice of convenient times and hospital clinics, often the same week, and rarely more than two weeks.
With a private appointment, you will always be booked to see the named Consultant. With NHS Choose and Book, you can't really choose your Consultant. You can only Choose and Book a particular hospital, clinic or specialist service. The Choose and Book FAQ's on their website makes it clear. You can ask, but the doctor you actually get to see may be different from the one named on your appointment confirmation.

The Out-Patient Consultation

No surprises, a familiar face, time to do things properly

You will see the Consultant you expect. You will not be seen by a trainee, a middle grade doctor, nor any other doctor deemed suitable by hospital managers, who have government targets to meet.
You will have enough time with the doctor. Private patients are normally given half an hour for a new appointment. NHS appointments are as little as ten minutes, and are sometimes double-booked or even treble-booked.
If you need a follow-up visit, the same Consultant, who is familiar with your condition, will see you again, every time.
Most private follow-up appointments are fifteen minutes, but you will be given as long as needed. NHS review appointments can be as little as five minutes, and even this limited time can be wasted when you see a different doctor who has to familiarise him/her self with your case.
Private hospitals have comfortable, uncrowded waiting rooms. A calm and peaceful atmosphere helps both patient and doctor.
The NHS has to prioritise a 24 hour emergency service. But all too often, urgent commitments mean that “routine” patients have to wait, or get cancelled / postponed.
We understand fully that medical problems requiring specialist attention don't normally seem quite so “routine” to the patient and family concerned. We give you the time and attention that you need.

The Surgical Operation

The same Consultant you saw will do your operation

The same Consultant you saw in the out-patient clinic, and explained exactly what he planned to do, will operate personally.
You will not go onto a generic waiting list, where any one of a pool of doctors may be allocated your case by the NHS hospital waiting list managers.
You will not have trainee surgeons operating on you.
We can normally give you a choice of where and when your operation is done.

After the Operation

The same Consultant who carried out your surgery will see you personally at each post-operative visit.
You will be given contact details for any post-operative problems, worries or concerns.

Quality and Continuity of Care

The key factors that still distinguish private from NHS specialist medical treatment in the UK in 2010 are

Consistently high quality care - fully trained and experienced Consultants only, with enough time to look after you properly and do things thoroughly
Continuity of care - the same doctor throughout

How much will it cost for private treatment?

Of course, NHS treatment is quite expensive. But as an individual patient, you don't normally see the bill. The overall cost of private treatment is not vastly more than NHS, and may be less than you think. Investing in a private consultation might even save you money. Experienced doctors working in well-equipped clinics tend to reach a diagnosis and treatment plan much more efficiently, so you know where you stand and can get on with your life.

See current Fees for private patients, or
Call us on 01233 642244 for a quote.