private medical scans

financequest

Dear MSE colleagues,
I wondered if any of you had paid for a private medical, maybe including a CT scan or similar?. I have visited my GP in the last year re my health concerns, and was later referred to a consultant at my local hospital where I undertook further tests. Despite assurances that all appeared well, I still have niggly doubts. Looking on the web, I found companies like Lifescan and Prescan that offer a range of medical checks. However these a fairly expensive. Should I simply put my doubts to the back of my mind?, or maybe spend a fair ammount to confirm all is well by way of a more detailed scan/medical?. As with most money making companies, I suspect that some are better than others, and some may give inaccurate or misleading results. Your thoughts ?

moonrakerz

Go back to your GP and tell him that you are not satisfied before you even consider spending your own money on a scan.

What are these "niggly" doubts ? Discuss them with your GP if you have anything concrete to go on.

Most people have something wrong with them - especially as they get older - these private companies will find something. You will then be passed on to another private provider - hope you have a deep wallet/purse !

Ken68

Not sure how the NHS reviews will affect things. When the doctors have the purse will they be more cautious of referring patients. Do they get to keep any money left over from the budget!!!

concerned43

I personally haven't used one but was thinking about it - however my friend used lifescan and it cost him £130 for his scan and blood tests. It picked up health problems that he already new about but it also picked up problems with his heart i.e. a blocked artery.
They frightnend the life out of him by telling him he could die of a heart attack any minute!!!
The problem with these companies are
1) It is carried out by a lay person or at best a nurse!
2) Once you have your results - that's the end of your dealings with them and they do not give advice on the next steps of getting help for your condition/s.
3) They can exagerate the condition.

By the way my friend is still with us and is an active mountain climber and has not had any problems with his heart!

I would as other's have suggested - talk over your fears with your GP, they may send you for further tests or put your mind at rest in other ways.

anamenottaken

Ken68 wrote: »

Not sure how the NHS reviews will affect things. When the doctors have the purse will they be more cautious of referring patients. Do they get to keep any money left over from the budget!!!

Not individual GPs directly but ......

As I understand it, at present the legislation would allow the consortia management organisations to be rewarded for underspending/not exceeding agreed budget and could then distribute the reward to individual practices. The private contractors (the GPs) could spend the money on what they liked - new BMW, conference in the Bahamas or comfortable chairs in the waiting room. What do you think?

Then again, their family members could have financial links to screening companies and the GPs could refer their patients to (and pay) those companies for screening services.

Errata

Despite assurances that all appeared well, I still have niggly doubts.

Niggly doubts are best discussed with a GP, and it's helpful if the patient is as specific as they can be. That's what GP's are for.

Oldernotwiser

If you would be reassured, a hundred or so on a private scan could be money well spent.

ShaneUK

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you would be reassured, a hundred or so on a private scan could be money well spent.

A CT Scan can cost around £300-£400 minimum, and that is just for one area, and before they charge for a contrast, if required.

Beenie

Private medicine is not cheap.

£150-£200 for initial consultation with specialist
£620 for full CT scan
£100-£150 to discuss results with specialist

Savvy_Sue

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you would be reassured, a hundred or so on a private scan could be money well spent.

the clue is in the bit I've made bold.

Sometimes we're right to be niggled, and sometimes we're not, and nothing would reassure us, but really the best person to see is the GP, and if the regular one seems to be brushing you aside, see if you can see another one.

bitemebankers

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you would be reassured, a hundred or so on a private scan could be money well spent.

The problem here is, a speculative CT scan is not likely to reassure you. Quite the opposite in fact. High resolution medical imaging techniques frequently reveal hitherto undetected growths and abnormalities. 99% of the time, these "problems" aren't anything to worry about, but once they've been spotted you'll probably want to get them checked out. In the meantime, I can guarantee you will feel anything but reassured.