nhs and private healthcare

Jellybean79

I am looking for advice on where to go next. Normally I'm a healthy and fit person not seen a doctor in a good five years. new years I was hospitalised to icu through a&e and put on waiting list for further operation. at the time ward doctors and then gp were telling me should be called back in for the operation within a couple of weeks. Four months later I'm still waiting for op and admissions keep telling me there's a long waiting list for my kind of op and they can't give me a date. I can't physically return to active life due to "temporary fix" and been told to minimise risks of getting an infection, and told to stay away from my active hobbies. I've had to return to work few mornings a week this month, although gp not entirely happy. Start of April I took oit private healthcare, I'm done waiting. To be told sorry need to use nhs county hospital equipment, but nhs have blocked all private appointments except for cancer! I'm told this is the sam across the region. where do I go from here? Both nhs and private won't or can't operate I'm stuck with additional payments for something I can't currently use and a temporary fix that has to be replaced within the next month under general anathestic which no one will give me a date for either.

Browntoa

Complain to "PALS" unit at the local hospital

And in the case of taking out private insurance , read the terms and conditions before taking it out , existing conditions are excluded and there is also a qualifying period

Jellybean79

Tried Pals two three times so far, couldn't get phone response and emails ignored. Yeah I was concerned about going with pre existing condition but I'm ok they signed off. I think had it been an op they could do in a private hospital they would, but on first joining the plan and first arriving for consultation, everyone knew what op was required and no one said it can't be done private. positive I had results from redone tests privately. Original results still waiting on NHS outpatients appointment, which should of been two weeks ago, but told won't get one till end of may early June now.

unforeseen

Quite a few regions are still limiting admissions except for cancer and emergencies due to the lack of bed space for post op.

It was brought in for the winter months but is still in force because they still have backlogs and bed blocking.


It looks like you wasted your money on a private health scheme that only uses NHS resources rather than having a private hospital to use.

moneyistooshorttomention

How much would the op. concerned cost if you were to pay yourself directly privately? (Yes - I do know one shouldnt have to...:cool:)

newatc

The health service of one of the richest countries in the world - pathetic!

Jellybean79

The op is around 12k if all went correctly. I wouldn't of got my hopes up if I knew I would be beholden to nhs again. I did check all the way up to signing the private healthcare plan paperwork. I didn't however get anything written down. my bad management. I was so desperate to get back on with my life how it was prior to this year, I wasn't really thinking it through. I can't understand if nhs has money problems why having people like me who can and are willing to pay for it, at their full recharge rates, would block these ops, plus we are off their stats. Actual hospital Stay is 3-4 days and my county hospital has a private ward so bed space isn't an issue on speaking to the private surgeon.

unforeseen

It may have a private ward but do the have a private theatre and staff?

Red-Squirrel_2

Just remember this when you next vote.

Jellybean79

I understand where you are coming from with the government's poor management. As that's what it is poor management the NHS staff are absolutely excellent, when you see them
I do believe that NHS problem isnt going to be solved by who I vote for. knee jerk actions win votes but still nothing is fixed in long term. I'd still have this issue under any government. still got to work out where I go next to get my op and life back to normal.

lessonlearned

Oh jellybean. Couldnt just read and run.....what a sorry state of affairs.


Its just madness isn't it. And sorry But no I don't have any answers.

Just hope you can get something sorted out.

I know this a money saving website and I might be shot down in flames for suggesting this......but is there anyway you can self fund, even if it means taking out a loan.

Hospitals like the Nuffield can help out with low cost loans.

Yes I know you shouldnt have to self fund and it probably isn't best financial practice to borrow money but sometimes needs must.

I have done something similar in the past. My husband needed a stair lift so he could come out of hospital. The waiting list was indefinite. I had no money so I slapped it on the credit card so he could come out of hospital.

Naughty I guess but at least he was able to come home.

Hope you can get your life back soon.