Private gastroenterologist?

[kiwi_fruit]

After GP referral was waiting for an appointment with NHS gastro, rang hospital today only to find out i'm in the queue and it'll happen after 5 months or so.:mad: I'm afraid to wait that long so have to think about a private one, rang today got an approximate quote of £150, does anyone know any cheaper? Preferably in South Wales/not far from..Thanks

[whatatwit]

Have you asked your GP for advice on going private or the cost?

[dmg24]

I doubt that the GP would know about the costs of going private, as they rarely get involved any further than writing the referral letter and (sometimes) giving recommendations.

I would say that £150 is extremely reasonable. Where I am you would pay upwards of £180 x

[Nicki]

You need to factor in all the costs not just the cost of the initial consultation. It's unlikely that the consultant can give you any diagnosis without running tests, all of which you'll have to pay for privately, plus any medications prescribed (at the private rate not the NHS rate) plus at least one follow up appointment with the consultant to discuss the results of the test, or whether any treatment he has suggested is working.

Having recently seen a gastroenterologist privately, in addition to his fees, I paid another £200 odd on blood tests, the best part of £2,000 for a colonoscopy and a few hundred for an X Ray plus about £50 on medications. Fortunately I have medical insurance through DH's job so only paid the medications out of my own pocket, but all the other stuff would have been painful on the pocket.

[kiwi_fruit]

GP doesn't care much and thinks I can wait(well it's easy for him to say..) But I suppose he will write a referral letter to see a private GI if I ask.
Well £150 is a GI in Bupa in Wales. Never heard of any other private healthcare here. Just thought worth asking. And if second visit needed would it be the same price as first? Just have no idea really, never had to deal with it until now.

[tigtag02]

Does your PCT not state you have to be seen in 13 weeks ~ thats whats its like in my area ~ it may be worth checking.

[kiwi_fruit]

Sorry just noticed your post Nicki, thanks for the detailed answer..
I see.. Seems cheaper to buy plane tickets and go for a check to another country lol

[Nicki]

GP doesn't care much and thinks I can wait(well it's easy for him to say..) But I suppose he will write a referral letter to see a private GI if I ask.
Well £150 is a GI in Bupa in Wales. Never heard of any other private healthcare here. Just thought worth asking. And if second visit needed would it be the same price as first? Just have no idea really, never had to deal with it until now.

That probably depends. If its a quickie just to say everything is OK, then maybe not. If its a more detailed consultation to devise a treatment plan, then quite likely.

[kiwi_fruit]

tigtag02, sorry to sound thick, what is PCT?

[tigtag02]

Primary Care Trust :D

[kiwi_fruit]

Nicki, right, I see, thank you..
And if I wait 5 months now to see NHS Gastro, how would it be if I need another appoinment, waiting for 5 months again? And RE tests, will it be queue like for 2 years..?:confused:

[Nicki]

Nicki, right, I see, thank you..
And if I wait 5 months now to see NHS Gastro, how would it be if I need another appoinment, waiting for 5 months again? And RE tests, will it be queue like for 2 years..?:confused:

That might depend on your local NHS hospital, but I shouldn't have thought so. When we've seen consultants on the NHS, they've always rescheduled the next appointment for a few weeks later. You probably would have to wait for major tests (like a colonoscopy) but I would imagine if the consultant thought it was urgent (ie life threatening) he could and would fast track it. You might also have a choice as to where to have the tests done so if your local hospital had a long waiting list, could maybe go somewhere with a shorter one?

I'm not a medical professional though, and these are just my own experiences of the system in the area I live in (which is in England not Wales). The consultant's secretary could maybe give you some more info about timescales in your area if you phoned and asked?

[kiwi_fruit]

I'll try to find out, thank you. Problem is, GP says he doesn't understand my problem so doesn't have answers, although thinks at my age it can't be anything serious. But as there are more and more worrying symptoms appear I'm just afraid to wait for 5 months and actually longer as you say for tests etc.
BUPA actually offers smth like bowel health assesment for £500, but I was refused because of my age, surprisingly enough.