AIBU to pay to see the same NHS consultant privately?

[MotorcycleMayhem]

I am waiting to see a Neurology consultant on the NHS. The wait on referral was 33 weeks, it's now down to 21 weeks. There is only one consultant with a specialism in migraine / headache disorders which is who I need to see.

Ive just found out he does private consultations at the private hospital in the same city for £250. Hopefully before Christmas.

WIBU to see him privately? I can afford to pay the fee, albeit on the credit card and pay it off over 2 months (Christmas is in the way).

Ethically I'm struggling with this, as I don't like the idea of a two tier medical system, however (as I don't want to drip feed) there are two things driving this - my migraines are worsening with stroke-like symptoms and my medication is ineffective with no more GP options left; and open / unresolved medical issues are a significant problem and need to be resolved ASAP or it could delay me and DH starting the adoption assessment process.

So, AIBU/WIBU?

Perfectly reasonable to get his opinion, but you realise any tests will be hundreds more?

Absolutely i would but check with the Secretary arranging a private appointment won t effect your NHS wait and try and get every medical bit of paperwork you currently have on your condition before you go.

It won't affect the NHS wait

Erm I have a friend on Facebook today with v similar issue but would be surprised by username if you are the same person!

I absolutely can understand why you would want to but as previous poster said it's the test costs that will be horrendous especially if you get into scans etc. Assume you can't be covered via work?

I've already had an MRI, bloods etc, as a prerequisite for the NHS referral.

All I think I'm expecting from an appointment is a new medication regime for the GP to follow. Maybe referral back into the NHS for botox if they think I'm eligible for the treatment?

I have no idea what they can even do, only that my GP has exhausted all their options, and the last thing in their list is to refer me.

I would do it without a second thought. You ca always say you are on the nhs waiting list and can’t afford multiple appointments

Well a neurologist will have more options available to them than GP so definitely worth a try

@Spanglylycra ha ha! No, I've kept all this off Fb, and everyone knows I ride motorbikes, but almost no-one knows about the adoption process.

I work in the Civil Service, but no private health insurance.

@MotorcycleMayhem ha I did wonder if you were my friend - also a migraine issue!

Are they hemiplegic? I get those.

We did this, OH had a suspected condition and the NHS kept screwing up his referral. £250 or so, got the diagnosis and the consultant referred him back into her NHS clinic.

One thing to consider, I was going to put it on credit card, but the consultant only accepted cheques and this wasn’t clear (I’d even say misleading as they asked for credit card details upfront). It was a tight month!

Yes to hemiplegic. It's a recent shift. I had one about a decade ago, but they all seem to be that way these days.

No triptans are effective any more, my daily dose of Topiramate is at 200mg and the GP can't go higher. FODMAP diet did nothing. Light and heat are my only known triggers.

My last bout of migraines was 7 in 10 days. I'm still exhausted from it.

It's a joy!

I did this, with a migraine specialist as my type of migraine is unusual and he is the main guy in the south to see. I think it cost approx £260 and I was seen within a week but then he put me on his nhs books so I didn’t need to pay again. I understand what you’re saying about a 2-tier system but if you can afford it this is your health you’re talking about. Also, the longer you stay chronic the harder it can become to treat so I put myself and my kids first and got myself seen.

FWIW he was useful at confirming my diagnosis and breaking the cycle but I have since stopped seeing him as all he was interested in was pushing meds.

Yes, I certainly would. I suspect if you wait for NHS you won't actually see the consultant himself either - under NHS, it's usually a junior doctor in that dept or the registrar who sees patients and then consults with the consultant behind closed doors (between other patients). If you pay privately, you get to see the consultant, you usually get more time etc.

As for test costs etc., when I've seen a consultant privately, they've done the tests etc via the NHS and you go back into the NHS for operations/treatment etc., so it usually is just a method of jumping the queue.

Sometimes needs must. It's not right, but it's the way the system works.

I would in your position but would also add that he might not take a credit card. DH is a consultant and doesn’t either. Many patients see him privately whilst waiting for their nhs appointment because they definitely get to see him, not one of the team, and they get 30mins just for them rather than a 5min turn around so they get to ask all their questions and make a plan of action. When they come to see him then in the nhs, the plan of action is swiftly put into place.

But you don’t jump the queue for anything

Yes go for it, especially as you've already had the relevant tests.

If you have the means I would definately do it OP. As others have said it won't affect the nhs queue - if anything someone will get bumped into your place if you need another appt.

If you can afford it YWBU not to go privately. People who can afford to pay choosing to take advantage of the NHS instead is the reason why it’s so shit.

Ok, so I need to speak to his secretary anyway - haven't been able to get through today, so I'll try again tomorrow and I'll ask about credit cards. I assumed they would as it's at the private hospital. More fool me. Thank you to those that have mentioned it. I'll just have to weigh up the Xmas shopping instead.

I'm not sure I can normally consider myself someone who can 'afford private health care', but I'm in a corner and prepared to throw some money at it. If it were thousands of pounds, I couldn't afford that. This figure I can find in my budget. I'm lucky, not loaded.

Bear in mind if you can only pay for the first private consult and no further tests etc, you'll still be waiting for the NHS appointment regardless. At our Trust a consultant cannot refer directly from their private practice to their NHS clinic, they can only ask the GP to make a referral - that's to prevent queue-jumping. Also make sure you take a copy of your private notes with you to any NHS appointment as 9 times out of 10 they're not copied over.

I’ve done this several times and it has always been beneficial for me. Usually the private consultant has been able to recommend suggestions and medication that my GP has prescribed whilst I’ve remained in the NHS queue and then, because I have been under the particular consultant privately, I’ve remained under him/her on the NHS (even when the referral usually means I’m to be seen by whichever specialist has the first appointment). Sometimes I have paid for extra tests privately but generally they are all done on the NHS via the GP or through the hospital once I get there.

I say to go for it.

OP you can select to see the consultant through 'Choose and Book' at the private hospital via the NHS. Your GP has to request it through their booking service. 75% or something of Spire's patients are NHS referrals. I had to do this when my gallbladder was imploding and the NHS wait was 6 months?!? For the same fecking consultant. It was him that actually told me to go through choose & book after I paid £600 for an MRI which would have also had a wait of 6 weeks on our local NHS.