can you go half-private?

EthelBloggs

hiya peeps

If someone needed an operation but the waiting list was at least a year, is it possible to 'go halves' in some way and speed up the process or am I completely barking up the wrong tree?

I could probably pay about 70% of the cost in cash but it would take me ages to raise the rest, would I be laughed out of the consulting room if I suggested it?

Thank youuu

frivolous_fay

Didn't a hospital hint about starting a policy like this, a media frenzy ensued, politicians roundly condemned it, and it was all denied and quietly forgotten?

wishiwasarichgirl

yeah, read something about this recently, a nurse I think was paying privately for sone medication the NHS would not fund, but was still under the NHS for the main bulk of her treatment. there was a bit of a furore as it was argued that if she was going to pay for some of her treatment privately she would have to go completely private, costing her a fortune.

the arguement is something to do with the government not wanting a "2-tiered" NHS where rich people get better treatment than poor people, not sure that I completely understand it

LondonDiva

No you can't, you either go NHS for the op or private.

Where a lot of people cut corners is to get diagnosis etc privately and pass the info to the GP for him/her to see if the pt can be seen on the NHS for the issue.

Or

You have all the initial work on the NHS and then can ask the consultant whether s/he does private work & ask for the costs. You'll probably be seen by the same person in the private wing or at their private hospital base. It's worth checking as they may have some payment plans in place (if the cosmetic surgery people do it, I'm sure Bupa types muct have thought of it!)

The only issue with the second senario is to work out what the follow up regimen is. Even if you have insurance what follow up will there be etc in terms of physio etc etc or if you would then be discharged into the NHS. How would that then link up and who would get the wheels in motion?

EthelBloggs

hmm that's a pity then

noonesperfect

Assuming that you're not waiting for an operation some PHC's have a six-week scheme whereby if the nhs waiting list is more than six weeks you get earlier treatment than you would on the nhs but not as quick as you would if you had a belt and braces private policy.

However, if you have a medical condition now and which requires an op that illness would not be covered if you were to apply any private health cover. ie if you've started to suffer with gall stones (just as an example) that condition wouldn't be covered by your new policy if you took one out.

mr_rush

The easiest thing to do is get in touch with the surgeon - call the hospital and speak to their secretary. They might direct you to the private secretary. She'll be able to outline the options you have.
It is difficult to comment without knowing the type of operation required about a 1 year waiting list.
Are all your investigations done?