NHS queue jumping...

[DafferDill]

DM had to have an ultrasound, rushed through by her GP.

She was told it was a 2 week wait, unless she paid £70, in which case she could be seen the next day.

She opted for the latter and was seen on the dot, which is unusual for the hospital.

She was in two minds whether to pay as it felt wrong in principle, but obviously was incredibly worried...

Aibu to think this two tier system within the NHS is pretty appalling?

[littleducks]

This sounds odd. Are you sure she didn't pay for a private scan?

[JolseBaby]

My understanding - which may be wrong! - is that there are a certain number of hours/availability which is given over to private patients. If this is correct, then she's taken a private slot - which was already there - which meant that she could be seen sooner because there was some availability. Her taking the private slot has not made a difference to the waiting time of the people already on the NHS list.

The issue is private vs. NHS which is a different kettle of fish I think. The free enterprise part of me thinks that you earn your money and it's up to you how to spend it - and if you want 'top up care' then that's your choice. However the flip side to this is that it creates a division between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' in something so basic as health care, which surely everyone should have a right to, in terms of quality, access and speed of response? I don't know what the answer is on that one!

[MrsJayy]

Your mum was offered the private option which she took and tbh if she isnt well her health comes first I know it seems unfair

[AStreetcarNamedBob]

It's not an NHS queue jump it's paying for a private scan.

So imagine a big queue for the bus OR a taxi pulls up and you have the option to pay a lot more and grab the taxi.

Doesn't skip any queues it's a different vehicle.

[DafferDill]

It was in the same hospital with the same staff though.

[Muskateersmummy]

So imagine a big queue for the bus OR a taxi pulls up and you have the option to pay a lot more and grab the taxi.

Love this description of it. Explains it perfectly.

[Topseyt]

That was definitely a private scan. She didn't queue jump.

[leelu66]

It becomes an issue when private slots increase and free slts decrease.

[dratsea]

As long as your rostered week is less than 168 hours you can work beyond your NHS time even in an NHS hospital doing private work. So agree with ducks

[Muskateersmummy]

Many private procedures are carried out within the NHS building. Private companies pay the hospital for certain blocks of time to use the equipment and staff. It's very common. A private hospital will rarely have MRI scanners/X-rays and such like, so they pay to use the NHS ones

[Musicaltheatremum]

They will be being paid from the private provider though not the NHS. The private provider will pay for so many slots and your mum has paid for one of these. Hope all was ok.

[Topseyt]

Some NHS hospitals do treat private patients too.

[Faye12345]

Nhs will contract hours out to private patients. Basically either you pay or nhs pays for them hours. Been that way for many years.

[ctjoy103]

I don't think it's queue jumping, she was given a private slot it seems. I don't think anyone with the option to be treated quicker and who could afford it would turn it down.

[Topseyt]

It may well even be the same consultant. Just one of his or her private clinic slots.

It isn't queue jumping.

[MrsJayy]

Its not a new thing for nhs hospitals to deal with private patients a few consultants ive had over the years have private patients

[ScoutsMam]

So imagine a big queue for the bus OR a taxi pulls up and you have the option to pay a lot more and grab the taxi.

But when the bus driver is also the taxi driver between the hours of 8-12 (same doctor) and the taxi is actually the same bus (same hospital) it falls down somewhat.

I remember reading Max Pemberton's memoirs about starting as a junior, and NHS staff being paid by the NHS doing the booking in and leg work for the consultants private patients. It shouldn't happen, but it does.

Your Mother did what was best for her health, and she shouldn't be judged for it. People trying to look after themselves aren't the reason the NHS is having the problems it is.

[NotMeNotYouNotAnyone]

The system is unfair but your mum did what I think anyone who could afford to would have done, and £70 is relatively affordable. No one should judge her for it.

I hope she's okay

[Silvercatowner]

You could rationalise it as 'freeing up a space for a person who cannot afford £70'.

[PacificDogwod]

That is not queue jumping.

It is part of how privatisation is eroding the NHS though.
And it also feeds off the understandable worry of people fearful that they might achieve a better outcome if they wait for a scan a couple of weeks.

Anything that cannot wait for 2 weeks for, I presume, an ultrasound scan is likely to need to be seen on the day, i.e. by the admitting team.
So, really, I'd just see this as rather cynical preying on the worried for financial gain

[AyeAmarok]

I think it is queue-jumping, because you're using NHS facilities and the paid-for slots mean there are fewer free slots for tthose who can't pay.

It's bad that this is what the NHS has come to, but I don't blame the individuals who pay to get treatment quicker because they're in pain.

[Topseyt]

This is not a new thing for NHS hospitals.

I am nearly 50 now. When I was 3 I was operated on as a private patient in an NHS hospital. As far as I know this has always gone on.

[Peaceandloveeveryone]

I think it's queue jumping and I have done it myself, I got an appointment afterwards very quickly as a result of something on the scan and was in the system quicker to get something done.
I am always fascinated that private education threads are so much more contentious than private healthcare ones. I think that private healthcare is much more unfair.

I have done it though and wouldn't judge anyone else who did.