Can you withdraw yourself from NHS care ??

Most cardiologists are both private and NHS so you would probably have to travel to get a different consultant.

Book an appointment with a private clinic get an opinion and coatings of what they think you may need now and in the future. Both tests, treatments, and medications. Make sure they cover emergencies. Then decide to move across to private.

Then write to NHS consultants to be discharged from their care. To be honest the private consultant will probably write to the NHS and ask for any previous tests/notes anyway so May do this for you (with your permission). Please don’t just not turn up for appointments. I know cardiology waiting lists are very long at the moment so others would be grateful to take that slot.

If you did have an emergency and had to go to NHS A&E then they would obviously still treat you but wouldn’t have any up to date info on your condition so it may take longer as they would probably have to repeat a lot of tests before any treatment.

My bf had an ultrasound a few months ago and he got the results via phone. He was then transfered to a specialist who wanted to see the results and there is no record of the ultrasound anywhere. Not that he has been in one or the results. Nothing in the app.

where is the nearest hospital to where you are?

if you dont want to move house to get into a different hospital catchment, is it feasible that you could attend the nearest cardiac hospital next time you have symptoms and happen to be “on a few days break to this area”?

surely they will treat you in their A&E rather than take you to your usual hospital back home and that way you might get some better treatment?

I beg your pardon. I misunderstood that. But you have had an ablation if I have read this right?
So they do recognise you have genuine heart problems.
Has proper follow up failed?

You will only find those on the NHS App if they have been uploaded and they aren't always. I have had two sets of hands x rays that are not on the App and my rheumatology consultant doesn't upload blood test results and I have to threaten GDPR every single time to get to see them.

You have an absolute right to see your medical records for free under GDPR. I've never heard of any individual paying to get them.

Modern pacemakers issue an alert when the battery is nearing end of life.

She's not got a pacemaker, I think it's a small implantable cardiac monitor, it shouldn't be removed without medical advice. Opmhave you got copies of your medical records, ecg, discharge summaries, GP records, you can access all these now. I'd be more inclined to change nhs hospitals or the cardiologist where you are, what are you expecting from a private consultation.

On the NHS app you can find all test and other results plus summary letters from consultant to GP. You can download these free and either print or email to private consultant.

Why would the hospital charge a fee? Surely they're obliged to share the records if the OP did a subject a chess request? And I thought you couldn't charge for a SAR?

If you have a pacemaker and have had an ablation it does sound as though your problems have not been totally dismissed. These procedures are not undertaken lightly.
What is the sequence of events that is causing you such anguish now? Are your symptoms persisting? Have you not had proper follow up?

Do lots of research before deciding to remove yourself , as others have suggested it might be better to seek a transfer to another NHS trust / consultant. Bear in mind that if you do withdraw and go private in the event of an emergency private can’t always cope and will try and pass you to the NHS and they won’t necessarily pick up all the pieces. Also private care for cardiology can quickly become very expensive.

a friend of my sister’s considered private for cardiology but after in depth researching took the decision to move NHS trusts , this was based on overall cost, provision for future needs and the what if in the case of an emergency. The switch to another NHS trust worked out ok for her.

This is the best way forward. The only way imho.

You have had a device fitted, have had appointments with cardiologists and psychiatrists and gad an ablation. That does not sound like someone who has been ignored.
When you went to A+E recently, who took you? Were they not able to advocate for you?

Yes, request them now. I think you have to write to medical records.

Please just ring the BHF helpline as above and they will answer all your questions and provide support.

Also if you go onto NHS app you will find all the communications from the consultants which you can either print out or email in advance to a private cardiologist.

You re seeing a wide range of people by the sounds of it. Not all of them will have any idea about your arrhythmisas.

The people you really need to see are a cardiologist, preferably one that specialises in electrophysiology.

You have had an ablation so you probably had an electrophysiological study. IMHO you need another and to be honest with a HR as low as 30 I am surprised you have not had a pacemaker fitted.

You don't 'withdraw' from the NHS just cancel any appointments.

I worked in cardiology for both the NHS and a private hospital. My recommendation is that if you 'go private' do it at an NHS hospital with a private ward / wing.

Haven't read all. I am a medical secretary, now many years in private practice. The private consultant will NOT send for your NHS complete records. You will have to request them from the hospital yourself in writing and pay the requisite fee up front. It will probably take some weeks to get them. We never do this and I don't know any private practice I have ever worked in that would or would have the time to.The onus is on you to get them or authorise the hospital to send them to the consultant direct. There will be a fee for this. It is only solicitors with medicolegal cases that will request medical records for you.

Pacemakers are literally lifesavers but should be checked once a year as battery and performance need to be checked and adjusted as needed I have come across NHS pacemaker patients who aren't checked regularly and wondered how they get on when their battery is near the end. If it is ever me (I am an NHS patient), I will be hassling them for annual checks.

Honestly , I wouldn't do it .
You've lost faith in them , I get that , but with your conditions you need to stay nhs funded .
What happens if you need major heart surgery in the future ? Lifelong medications will cost a bomb ongoing .
Both myself & husband have lifelong medical needs and between us we take 22 medications .
We live rural and our nearest hospital is rubbish and it is nearly a 70 miles round trip to the next nearest where we both have clinics to attend .
The care we get there is only mediocre and an appointment I should have every 6 months is currently 5 months overdue and before that it was 13 months over due so in 18 months I should have had 3 appointments and I've only had 1 .
But my point is , at least we are seen , and we have medication to help control it .