Moving from NHS to Private

[CrispsnDips]

How easy would it be to arrange to transfer a very poorly patient from an NHS Ward to a Private Hospital? By ambulance?

Admitted last Monday with, what the doctors think, is a very rare blood disorder where the blood has started to attack nerve endings instead of a virus. She’s a 71 year old friend of mine who is now bed bound, not eaten properly for a week, not sleeping and VERY confused. Tried saline drips to bring her sodium levels up, antibiotics for the infection but just becoming more poorly.

Her husband mentioned to the Sister that she’s not eating and her response was “Isn’t she?” Similar non-reassuring answers when he has asked the Nurses other questions.

Would the private hospital take her? Ours doesn't deal with any complex cases.

Ahh not sure…it’s such a shame we were not armed with lots of knowledge before all of this…very stressful for the family…😢

Private hospitals in the UK don’t usually deal with acutely ill patients OP. Usually day surgery straightforward type stuff that Private hospitals deal with. They also don’t have critical care units and something like one doctor on call for the whole hospital overnight. No junior doctors.

It’s actually very difficult - especially because the NHS are possessive as fuck once they get any hint they’re losing a patient to the private sector or even another country’s medical care - but if the family are able to do it they should. They need to find a consultant with admittance rights at another hospital. Many consultants won’t want to get involved, partly for office politics reasons, so you may have to ring around until you find someone who will.

It really helps if you or someone you know already knows a consultant who can admit the patient to a private hospital. Some will do this even though the patient does not fall into their speciality. You need to think about the cost of a private hospital and also the cost of the transfer. I have done this for DH twice - once he was able to walk and I transferred him in my car but 17 years ago I had to transfer him by private ambulance and it cost £250 for a five mile journey. I also agree with the advice above concerning what private hospitals can deal with.

If she is very confused she won't be able to consent to the move.

I also agree that private hospitals in the uk generally admit people for specific treatments and don't care for seriously unwell patients. They don't have ICU and would transfer anyone seriously unwell to the NHS.

It also depends where you are, e.g. London has excellent private coverage but other regions may not.

The NHS has turned into a total crap-shoot and proper care is very thin on the ground. Are you sure of the diagnosis? Because that's another area that's seriously lacking.

You'll need to start making phone calls to private providers. BUPA might be able to help (you don't have to be a BUPA member).

You will need a consultant with the correct specialty ie medical or oncology who is willing to accept her. It may require a consultant to consultant referral.
Then if there’s private insurance you will need authorisation. If there’s no insurance be careful as it’s basically an open cheque book.
For transfer it will be a private ambulance approx £500 upwards. Private care is more focused on the surgical patient. Without a diagnosis you will struggle to transfer. I would advise PALS if the family are unhappy with the care being received. Hope she improves x

Private hospitals aren't equal, some absolutely are equipped to take medical patients, but others aren't.
The family can speak to the consultant in charge of the patient as s/he will be well placed to determine whether this is possible and arrange onward transfer to the NHS Private Patient Unit or a local private hospital, or to a colleague who can.

It's worth understanding what the treatment plan is and discussing costs before considering a move though. Planned surgical admissions are usually a defined cost but the nature of medical admissions means that costs can ramp up quickly especially if HDU/ITU is needed.
I hope your friend is on the mend soon.

Thanks everyone…yes, I was aware Private hospitals don’t deal with ICU patients and, yes, her husband is ringing PALS tomorrow with all of his concerns.

The lumber puncture failed and they need to do it again under general anaesthetic- this would have helped ascertain what’s wrong with her, I think. They’re really unsure at the minute.

Some nhs hospitals have private rooms where patients can be cared for by their nhs consultants but in general you are best to be in nhs care if you are seriously ill. Her DH should try to speak to her consultant , ideally with another family member or friend there to support and pick up any missed questions.

It is the end of a bank holiday weekend, in which there was a nurses' strike. I am not surprised the care hasn't been great. Hopefully everyone will be back at work tomorrow and your friend will get some answers. I honestly think transferring to a private provider at this point is a very bad idea.

I thought the private rooms were just a way to get away from the other patients (LOL) as they’re not particularly expensive….? but it does sound like a good idea 👍🏼

I think the family are becoming disillusioned with the care.

Her husband is hoping for a proper meeting with the consultant tomorrow..as it has been a bank holiday weekend there hasn’t been any doctors available…

Thanks again everyone, really appreciated

It sounds like they suspect Guillain-Barré syndrome. Poor woman. It's a difficult diagnosis, which they have clearly started with the lumbar puncture. "Guillain-Barré syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because several other conditions can cause similar symptoms."

They must be forced to follow a watching brief until a definite diagnosis is available. They can't risk harming her by jumping the gun. This must be very awful to observe - not to mention horrible to be the patient - but it very much sounds as if she is being treated correctly and promptly.

Paying a healthcare providers will not make her problems go away, sadly.

Yes the doctors THINK it might be Guillain-Barré syndrome

Very rare

I don't know of any private Healthcare provider in the UK that would take on a possible Guillain-Barre diagnosis.

When I worked in Neurology (30yrs ago) the nearby private hospital swiftly transferred all patients over to us with even a hint of a neurological issue.

I would speak to the Consultant and also to PALs.