If you have private healthcare, how long did you wait for a colonoscopy?

[ssd]

And who is your healthcare with?

Bump

How far down the line are you with the process?

If you've already seen the consultant they will tell you how long it will be.

The usual process is a GP referral to a consultant, then the consultant refer you for tests. It depends on the consultant's workload but usually within a week or two.

You can't leap frog the process by having a test without seeing a consultant and most private health insurers insist on a GP appt first.

So, even with private insurance you can't just make an appt for an investigation without going through the process.

Some private health insurers have their own GPs who you can access quickly (online- call or video) sometimes within a day.

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I haven't started the process but im wondering how long it all takes on nhs versus private

Even getting a dr appointment takes 10 days here

My DH had a private colonoscopy to diagnose coeliac disease.
Initially he made an appointment with our NHS GP for his symptoms, they did a blood test. When the results came back about a week later, we went private through work health insurance provided by AXA for the colonoscopy. The GP sent a letter to AXA who then arranged for DH to see a consultant at a local private hospital. He waited about a week to be seen privately whereas we were told it could be up to 6 months if we waited for the NHS.

If you’re in a position to self fund initiating the process, you can see a private GP who can refer you too. A 15 minute appointment costs about £75 here, although you’ll also need to pay for any blood tests etc on top.

Once the referral is done you should be able to get an appointment within a couple of weeks to see the Consultant, then maybe another week (possibly two) to get the test. Slightly depends on how busy your local private hospital is, because of the NHS waiting times I know the private hospitals are getting much busier.

I had one two years ago. It was just under a month from my GP appointment to getting the actual colonoscopy at a private hospital. I’m with Bupa.

I was told it was a 3 month wait to see a consultant on the NHS via a GP referral.

Privately (BUPA) I saw a consultant later that week at his next clinic and was booked in for a colonoscopy the next week, but I am in London and there is lots of choice for private work.

@ssd If you're not with a health insurer now, and are thinking about it, read the small print before you join.

Usually, you cannot use the insurance immediately - you may have to wait anything from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on the symptoms after you've started paying the premium.

You also can't be covered for any existing condition that is on your medical record and is regarded as 'chronic'.

You can pay to see a consultant by referring yourself (usually around £300) and if they refer you for a colonoscopy the cost is around £1500-£2K.

If you have severe symptoms, that suggest cancer, your GP should ensure you're seen quickly, starting with a FIT test.

You can choose any private hospital, anywhere, if they are on the 'list' approved by the insurers.

Thanks for all advice here

We are in Ireland. DD waited 3 weeks. All was fine.

@ssd If you've got any bleeding from your bottom, when pooing or not, or have had diarrhea or constipation that's new, for 3 weeks or more, see your GP. They should do a stool test- FIT. No one even privately will do a colonoscopy without running some simple tests like a FIT test and taking your full medical history.

You sound worried- have you seen your GP and if so, what have they said?

If you need an urgent colonoscopy the NHS is still very good. My dh went to the doctors with bleeding a week ish ago and had a FIT test. Results back and referred on 2 week pathway, he has a colonoscopy booked for Wednesday next week.