Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that consultants should do more nhs clinics and not private practice

44 replies

funnyperson · 15/03/2012 16:31

My cardiology appointment is in June as that is the first available on the nhs. Yet I can see the same doctor privately next week at a cost of £205. AIBU to think this is outrageous. I have jaw pain , tiredness, and have recently come out of hospital under this doctor's care, and want to know my diagnosis, my treatment and my ability to return to work asap. Why is she getting an nhs salary to fund her time in private practice?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 15/03/2012 16:34

They do their private practice outside their contracted nhs hours though, so its not relevant to the number of clinics they do for the nhs

Kellamity · 15/03/2012 16:38

Was just about to say the same as CMOT it's in their non NHS time.

Hulababy · 15/03/2012 16:38

Presumably the Private work is done outside of her NHS contracted hours?

Liken it to a teacher who does private tutoring perhaps?

barbigirl · 15/03/2012 16:40

It is bad, but it's much much much better than it used to be. The wait will be because of NHS availability, not cos of her time iyswim?

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 15/03/2012 16:42

Banning doctors from working privately would not get you seen quicker. In fact, it would probably mean your appointment waiting time was longer, because everyone would be on the list including those who currently pay.

You shouldn't have to wait so long, you are right about that. But the NHS won't magic up more doctor hours by by trying to control their free time.

OldGreyWiffleTest · 15/03/2012 16:42

I saw my GP in September. Got to see Consultant Cardiologist in November, then waited 4 months for an angiogram. I've had open heart surgery, and the bypass is now blocking up. I still have to wait another 3 months for the stents to be inserted.

Prince Philip got his done within 48 hours, privately. Not fair, is it?

TattyDevine · 15/03/2012 16:44

YABU

3littlefrogs · 15/03/2012 16:45

Consultants are not allowed to do private work in their NHS contracted hours.

Their contracted NHS hours are decided by the NHS based on the money available to pay for the sessions, including the cost of theatre time, anaesthetist time, nurse time, bed availability plus the overheads like heat, light, clerical and secretarial support etc.

This is non-negotiable, and all the consultants that I know work well over their contracted hours for the NHS in terms of doing their paperwork, teaching etc. Even if they want to do an extra session for the NHS to cut waiting times, they would not be allowed to do it for the reasons mentioned.

They do not get an NHS salary to fund private practice.

ohyouBadBadkitten · 15/03/2012 16:50

these stories are making me treasure my cardio after he said he would squeeze me into an nhs clinic after I was desperate enough to book a private appt. I hadnt realised how bad waiting lists were getting (doesnt seem so bad when waiting for rheumy appts now)

Original poster
funnyperson · 15/03/2012 16:54

Its making me think there is a two tier health service- one standard for those who can pay extra to be seen privately, and substandard if one cant pay extra

OP posts:
nickelhasababy · 15/03/2012 16:56

YANBU.

it drives me nutty that doctors etc go into private practice when NHS waiting lists creep up and up.
and then people go on about "you should go private so you don't have to wait" - thus perpetuating the problem, not resolving it.

Kellamity · 15/03/2012 16:57

There's definitely a 2 tier service, those who can pay will be seen quicker but I don't agree the NHS is substandard care.

Hulababy · 15/03/2012 16:57

That's always been the case, I'm afraid.

or my ops I had a 16 month wait as it was cancelled twice on the NHS. Had I paid privately it would have been done within the month, probably within a week or two.

However, I do feel the NHS is excellent for emergencies and time is of the essence. They can move very very fast when need be.

Original poster
funnyperson · 15/03/2012 17:03

I agree the nhs isnt substandard - its accessing it that is the problem, not the service when available.
I think it has come as a shock to me how much it impacts on my daily life to have to wait another 3 months wold be really quite difficult- uptil now I have assumed the nhs would be there for me when I needed.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 15/03/2012 17:07

OYBBK - I fell very very lucky waiting for my first rhuematologists appointment. I was lucky (!) enough to get my first big symptoms less than a week before I went on holiday and needed to be able to walk - they squeezed me in within 2 days and then again a day or two later for an injection as well. have to say that last summer I found the NHS to be wonderful in their response time!

Highlander · 15/03/2012 17:13

OP, your symptoms are not urgent. Cardio clinics are choc a bloc with people on death's door.

Consultants have to do the equivalent of Mon- Sat morning (11 PAs) before they can undertkae private clinics in another hospital. Private work cannot take place during NHS time, but this rule is flouted a lot.

The current rules mean that hospitals can only generate 1% of their income from private work. The Tory govt wants to increase this to 49%. Go figure.......

Original poster
funnyperson · 15/03/2012 17:14

Well perhaps I am moaning overmuch- tbh they were absolutely fantastic in an emergency

OP posts:
Kellamity · 15/03/2012 17:25

I think you can't fault them in an emergency (IME anyway) it's the routine stuff we have to wait for and I can't see that getting any better in the foreseeable!

3littlefrogs · 15/03/2012 17:51

Highlander - do you have evidence that the rule is flouted a lot?

Years ago it was a problem, but these days I doubt if anyone would risk it because the chances of disciplinary action would be very high. I can't think why anyone would risk losing their job and their pension for the sake of a bit of private practice.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 15/03/2012 17:55

Highlander I don't think it is flouted a lot. I know a lot of consultants across many specialties and am not aware that this happens - although I think things were different 20 years ago.

OP YABU, and rather ignorant.

fotheringhay · 15/03/2012 18:26

"hospitals can only generate 1% of their income from private work. The Tory govt wants to increase this to 49%"

There are just no words for this...

fotheringhay · 15/03/2012 18:31

OP, yanbu of course.

RevoltingPeasant · 15/03/2012 18:33

Sorry, but I think the whole 'your symptoms are not urgent' thing is not on.

No the OP is not dying. But she does have a serious condition by the sounds of it and is in pain.

I had to wait 18mos recently for a renal op. Thankfully, I was not in pain, but the added delay made it increasingly likely as time went on that I would lose the kidney. The psychological stress of that was really unpleasant - being in additional physical pain must be so much worse. Don't belittle someone in pain.

ohyouBadBadkitten · 15/03/2012 18:33

Hula - thats brilliant :) it does show that despite the waiting list issues there is still a lot of compassion.

FP - I do know where you are coming from in your frustration. I feel very frustrated too - though I am just about managing work, I'm not doing a great job and I feel utterly rubbish. You could do as I've done and ask the consultants secretary to pass on some specific questions (just keep the list short so it is a reasonable request)

ohyouBadBadkitten · 15/03/2012 18:36

(havent had the answer to my question I've asked via the Sec. yet, but it was only posed today - sec is emailing the consultant which is very kind I think)

Yesterday and earlier today I was feeling utterly miserable, now I am feeling more grateful and appreciative. (even if physically i feel miserable)

Swipe left for the next trending thread