to think this is where the NHS lets people down

[peppatax]

After a series of A&E visits with concerning acute symptoms, MIL needs to see a specialist and has a 4 month wait for an NHS appointment. She can however see the same consultant in August privately for about £250.

AIBU to think this is fundamentally wrong? Is it just that some people are doctors for the money rather than helping people? No wonder NHS waiting lists are so long if said consultant is doing private appointments as a priority.

It makes me lose sympathy for the poor junior doctors who after sticking out their training can become consultants and prioritise patients that can afford to pay.

[SlightlyperturbedOwl]

But it's because the NHS doesn't pay for enough consultant time that the lists arise- so in your example they are only paying the consultant for 2 days and not for the other 3 days. I'm not sure why you thing the consultant should work 5 days a week for the NHS for 2 days pay?

[RhubarbAndRose]

But, there private work is outside of their NHS contract. If she / you can afford to pay and are happy to, I don't see the problem.

If everyone had to wait to be seen on the NHS, she'd be waiting far longer than 4 months

[parallax80]

Consultants have to work 10 sessions a week for the NHS on a normal contract. If they want to do private work, they have to offer the NHS an 11th session (which the NHS might or might not take up, depending on that consultants specialty / sub-specialty and what the demand is and the other resources needed to make use of it) before they are allowed to do private work.

Anyone who does private practice alongside NHS work does the majority of their work as NHS. There are very few people who make a living purely from private practice and the system is set that you can't be an NHS consultant and do majority private work.

[Adopter]

I personally think you should count your blessings that you can stroll into A&E and received FREE health care and advice. Regardless of time, it's free. On top of this, if it was truly serious the would ensure it was fast tracked.

I'm not being nasty, let's appreciate what we have though - realistically we probably won't have it forever

[peppatax]

It's nice to actually get some information off AIBU for a change... I did realise it wouldn't all be going in the doctor's pocket but even so, is this really not a big deal for people?

[Roseformeplease]

So, as a public sector worker, I am not allowed, by your rules, to take a 2nd job? Have I sold myself into (paid) slavery?

[Adopter]

I personally think you should count your blessings that you can stroll into A&E and received FREE health care and advice. Regardless of time, it's free. On top of this, if it was truly serious they would ensure it was fast tracked.

I'm not being nasty, let's appreciate what we have though - realistically we probably won't have it forever

[MollyTwo]

By morality you mean why should they not give up their service for free for the greater good I'm sure

[Cosmo111]

Be thankful we have free health care we are the only countries to offer this yes we pay more taxes but I don't think it's fully appreciated.

[welshweasel]

I get paid to work 10 sessions (40 hours) per week for the NHS as a consultant. After on cal commitment and late operating sessions are taken into account that means that some weeks I get 2 days off. I'm free to do what I like with that time. I choose to spend it at home with my baby. Others choose to boost their income by doing private work. If I was found to be going private work in NHS time I would likely be referred to the gmc, sacked from my NHS post and possibly struck off.

[Wibblewobble100]

As others have said blame the government for underfunding rather than the doctors... Most do at least 4 days/ week for NHS plus out of hours Or they only do 2-3 days because the NHS don't have funding to pay them for more sessions.....

[MollyTwo]

Agree with Adopter. People lose sight of this and begin to feel entitled.

[NoahVale]

supply and demand.

[ilovewelshrarebit123]

I had a 12 month wait to see a gynaecologist on NHS but saw him privately a within a week.

I saw him in the evening outside his NHS appointments, so in his own time.

My hysterectomy was also a 12 month wait on NHS but I had it done 5 weeks later in a Spire hospital.

Luckily I had it covered by a policy I have. I understand your frustration but I have no problem if people can pay.

[SlightlyperturbedOwl]

peppertax I don't really understand what your issue is -do you expect to get paid for all the days you work? Or would you do half the week as a 'freebie'?

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

That's a daft argument!

Consultants do private work above and beyond their NHS contracts. The NHS could pay them to work even longer hours to reduce waiting times. If no one went private the NHS waiting times would be even longer!

It is not the fault of the consultants, it's the slow demise of the NHS.

I pAid to have an MRI on my knee privately after paying for a private physio. If I went down the NHS route, I'd be looking at months and months of waiting To get to the point of having an MRI, and that's even if they would do it. It's no ones fault except a system under high pressure, too little investment and a population that expects more and more from the health system.

[peppatax]

It's not free though is it? Okay so we don't hand over any cash at point of treatment but it's not free, it's paid for by taxes etc.

[cuntinghomicidalcardigan]

No. We are lucky to be able to access the nhs in any form. Allowing those who can afford it to pay for an expedited service reduces the pressure on the NHS and ultimately decreases the waiting list for people like your MiL.

[Acopyofacopy]

I get where you are coming from, OP! My rare condition that left me in debilitating pain was diagnosed and treated within 2 weeks rather than 6 months because I was fortunate enough to be able to pay for the private consultation.

Nothing seems fair when you are in pain, in tears and begging your GP for help and they say you can see a specialist in 6 months, have a paracetamol in the meantime.

[peppatax]

SlightlyperturbedOwl of course I expect to be paid the days I work but my point is that doctors don't work for the NHS for free either! I'm not arguing that they should work for free!

[Blueberry234]

I would agree with you if the Dr hadn't got themselves into tens of thousands of pounds of debt to train, pay an utterly ridiculous amount of money for insurance and fees and hundreds keeping themselves up to date. They are entitled to use those skills and earn extra cash how they like

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I have no issue with it having 'queue jumped' by using private health care. I can't see an issue with people making extra money from something they have studied long and hard for.

[MollyTwo]

But why shouldn't they use their free time to earn more? What would you like them to do?

[SlightlyperturbedOwl]

But if they are doing all the hours for the NHS that they are contracted for, then what is your argument? The problem is the NHS not paying for enough consultant hours. And all the other staff involved in the process. The NHS is now woefully underfunded, amazing isn't it how that coincides with increased waiting lists...