Private Health Care?

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:37

Hey guys

Two questions.

1. How would I go about booking an appointment through private health care?

2. How much is it likely to cost?

I've gone through the NHS 3 times now for my 'problem' and have been seen 2 specialists and had 2 different medications which seem to be doing nothing. I guess I'd be willing to spend around £400/500 to resolve the issue!

Morba · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:40

Do you have private care already? If so, why haven't you been referred yet?
If not, sign up for private care with someone who takes on existing conditions.

Failing that, call a specialist in the area of medical you need and ask them how much a consultation will cost.

ste2005 · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:41

Contact the local private hospital, or private health care trust. Spie healthcare group is nearest to me. 1/2 hour consult will cost around £200, thats not including blood tests.

They will not use NHS tests, they will want to run their own. Blood tests, xrays, are not cheap. I would add another 0 on to your £500 budget.

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:43

I don't have private health care no. I'm aware that for some of you it comes as a perk with your job. Where would be the best place to start? Bupa or so?

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:43

ste2005 said:
Contact the local private hospital, or private health care trust. Spie healthcare group is nearest to me. 1/2 hour consult will cost around £200, thats not including blood tests.

They will not use NHS tests, they will want to run their own. Blood tests, xrays, are not cheap. I would add another 0 on to your £500 budget.

It's really not a major problem, just something that for some reason seems to be hard for the doctors to diagnose

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:45

Gustov said:
It's really not a major problem, just something that for some reason seems to be hard for the doctors to diagnose

If the NHS doctors cannot diagnose it I am not sure what makes you think going private will be any better. Most doctors who work privately are NHS doctors doing extra work anyway.

ste2005 · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:46

Me & the wife have had private treatment. If they cant diagnose you their and then, you will pay a fortune for tests. But they are in the business of making money, so they will likely insist on running tests, before any diagnose's is made.

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:48

Well I've been to a GP who gave me a prescription that did nothing. I was then referred to a specialist who said there was nothing wrong with me (he couldn't be more wrong) and I was then referred to another specialist who has given me a different prescription that seems to also be doing nothing. What do you suggest? Keep seeing doctors on the NHS who seem to treat me as if they couldn't care less?

Morba · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:49

Trial and error in most cases, they are trying the most likely things to help you first.

Just keep going back. You sure it's not a mental problem?

ste2005 · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:50

Like Fox said, Private dooctos are NHS doctors, working in their spare time. They have access to more diagnostic equipment. The time it will take to have all the tests done will be reduced. But it will cost more than £500

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:51

Morba said:
Trial and error in most cases, they are trying the most likely things to help you first.

Just keep going back. You sure it's not a mental problem?

Yep, 100% sure. Keep going back when every referral has a waiting time of around 8 weeks? Wouldn't I be better going privately and seeing someone who actually cares about their patient?

ste2005 · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:52

they dont care about the patient, just your credit card

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:53

Gustov said:
Yep, 100% sure. Keep going back when every referral has a waiting time of around 8 weeks? Wouldn't I be better going privately and seeing someone who actually cares about their patient?

Contrary to what you may think, healthcare professionals DO care about you.

You will see the same consultants!

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:54

[TW]Fox;17686995 said:
Contrary to what you may think, healthcare professionals DO care about you.

You will see the same consultants!

So you're saying the only benefit to going private is time?

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:56

Nicer, plusher facilities as well, but yea, pretty much that.

ste2005 · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:58

Gustov said:
So you're saying the only benefit to going private is time?

Like Fox said, nicer facilities, and reduced times. You need to do some research to figure out the cost side of things, beacuse its going to be more than you think

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 12:59

ste2005 said:
Like Fox said, nicer facilities. But reduced times. You need to do some research to figure out the cost side of things, beacuse its going to be more than you think

Just for a 15 min consultation and then perhaps a prescription?

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 13:00

What makes you think they will be able to find something the NHS has not?

ste2005 · 31 Oct 2010 at 13:01

Now your perscription will be fun, as it will be a private perscription. You dont pay the NHS price. You pay the cost pirce of the medication. It could be cheap, £2-£5 or it could cost £100's. The NHS subsidies perscriptions.

Gustov · 31 Oct 2010 at 13:01

Because from my experience, when I have an appointment with the NHS, I feel like nothing more than a name that needs to be ticked off a list.