NHS vs. Private hospital

Hi Lapa

I’ve only had private treatment once (a frozen shoulder) as I had health insurance at the time and the GP said treatment would be quicker as the wait for NHS physiotherapy would be months rather than weeks.

It seems that many consultants or surgeons in the NHS also do private work. Going private you would probably be seen quicker, be able to choose your consultant and have more time during consultations, HOWEVER many private hospitals don’t have their own equipment such as CT scanners, MRI scanners etc., they use the same NHS facilities. I guess it really comes down to personal choice and if one has the income or health insurance to go privately. 

I have had great care from the NHS in the past nine months and can’t sing their praises highly enough. If you choose to go with the NHS you would have the same treatment, diagnostics, tests etc. as the private sector. Also, the NHS has to work within ‘NICE’ strict guideline times for cancer treatment.

Best wishes xx

Eline

I have only ever done things on the NHS, but when I had my mastectomy they sent me to a private hospital for some reason. Very nice. I had my own room with a tv, the quality of food (including the cutlery and napkins) was superior, and very attentive nurses throughout. It was like staying in a five star hotel. They also used something on my lower legs that I have not seen in my usual hospital, some machine that massaged the lower legs constantly during the first 24 hours or so. 

These, however, are secondary considerations. I would go where I think the medical side is best, deal with the "hotel" side of things as it comes.

My hubby had those leg sleeves when in hospital (nhs) for a broken back & neck.  They called intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device,  They are inflatable sleeves that are worn on your lower legs while recovering from an illness or surgery in the hospital. The device keeps your blood flowing, which helps prevent such problems as blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  They go off every 20 sends or so.   He also had a vibrating mattress to prevent bed sores as immobilised for 6 weeks.  

Anyway there are ladies on here who have gone private route.  Hopefully they will be along with their experience 

Hi, I am not an expert, but I have had my treatment privately through my company medical insurance. From my experience, it is the same consultants who do NHS and private work and I had much of my treatment, including the surgery, at the NHS hospital. In this case the NHS get “funding” from the insurance. Here are my views on some of the pros and cons:

- private sometimes gives you more flexibility on appointments (I saw my oncologist at 6pm this evening and was with her for 45 mins)

- things like scans can sometimes be done more quickly if there is equipment at the private hospital 

- as others have said, there is more “comfort”

- my medical cover allowed for some treatment at home - blood tests, 4 of my 6 chemo session and all Phesgo are done by a nurse who comes to the house

- from a surgery perspective, there may not be the same level of equipment at a private hospital, especially if it turns into an emergency

- some NHS nursing teams are better set up for nursing care as some smaller private hospitals don't offer this phone service (my consultant was concerned about this) 

I would talk to your consultant about the pros and cons in your specific area and the capacity / capability of the private hospital.  Good luck 

Hi Greycats

”They also used something on my lower legs that I have not seen in my usual hospital, some machine that massaged the lower legs constantly during the first 24 hours or so.”

At my first surgery seven months ago, I had the lovely green pressure socks when I went to theatre. I had a second surgery last week but this time when I woke up, I had some sort of automatic pressure wrap on my legs, something I’d never seen before. I found the green socks in my holdall when I was going home  

Just seen your post Carol. Now I know the actual name of what was on my legs, thanks!

I had my surgery at Wythenshawe. Really looked after you. As others have said private can be quicker. Also if there is long waiting list they are farming some surgery to private hospitals but being paid by NHS so no cost to you. I have had surgery in both NHS and private. It does also depend on which private hospital as some are better than others. Not wanting to be negative but there is no such thing as private patients charter ie they are not monitored for care against a system.  NHS are. There are some good ones in area x

I feel cheated, haha. I had two surgeries at NHS hospitals last year, and nobody offered me leg massage! Looks like I am going to be facing two more surgeries soon; I will keep a watchful eye for these, they were very nice!

I’ve got the pumps on my legs too x

And I have had other things treated privately and yes it is lots of the same consultants, they tend to work part time in both and it is easier to get appointments generally, although as a cancer patient I’ve had better access to consultants then when it was my feet! And the buildings and rooms are better. If you have an emergency though you’ll be treated by the NHS regardless, private is not generally set up for emergencies. All the best xx