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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask is a private gynaecologist any better than an NHS one?

79 replies

SinisterBumFacedCat · 31/12/2019 01:13

Had an ongoing painful problem for over 2 years now, regularly see the local gynae specialist but have yet to be diagnosed or treated, she has just ruling out what it isn’t and trying various things which either haven’t worked or just irritated more. Been scanned and referred to urologist (hah! 9’months wait for appointment and was discharged while coming round from anaesthetic).

I’m now wondering about going private. But if I’m going to be seen by a gynaecologist with the same training/knowledge as an nhs is it worth the money? Is there more access to diagnostic testing and treatments, or will it be limited to what they can provide at that particular clinic? I’d like to get proper help if it’s out there, but also don’t want to throw money at it only to have an expensive gynaecologist shrug their shoulders at me and end up ultimately back at the nhs with no diagnosis and poorer. Anyone else had good or bad experience in private gynaecology, did it finally get you a diagnosis, or was it a waste of money? Also be interested to hear from gynaecologist working in nhs and private. Thanks.

OP posts:
ProfessionalBoss · 31/12/2019 01:16

Just a thought... Most consultants work for both private hospitals and the NHS at the same time, so you could literally be paying your own money for the same gynecologist.

Original poster
SinisterBumFacedCat · 31/12/2019 01:21

Ah didn’t think of that!

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 31/12/2019 01:30

That's certainly true. On the up side, for your money it's possible to shop around for different consultants with private, whereas it's not with NHS. Also much quicker of course.

Search up reviews of the private gyno consultants nearby, see if you can get anything positive.

edwinbear · 31/12/2019 01:32

I had an anterior and posterior prolapse after DC1. I have private medical insurance via work so had my surgery privately but also sought a second opinion from the NHS. Personally, yes it was worth it, the wait times were far reduced and I was operated on by a consultant rather than a registrar, who thankfully, refused to use the mesh which was being widely used in the NHS at the time.

It is far nicer being looked after post op in a private hospital- you have your own room and the nurses are not so stretched, so when my pain medication wasn’t working, they were able to react much quicker. My consultant also did my post op check ups.

Would I self fund?? If I could afford it, undoubtedly for a big op. Yes I would.

ineedaholiday11 · 31/12/2019 01:33

In my experience (not gynae - cardiologist and urologist) you get to the bottom of things quicker as they'll just do the tests they think appropriate whereas the nhs due to budgets/policies can (not always) take longer as they'll do one thing at a time in an attempt to rule things out rather than just doing everything at once.

Iggity · 31/12/2019 01:44

I’ve seen the Queen’s gynaecologist both as a private and NHS patient. No difference apart from having surgery in private wing. There’s no reason I can think of that the treatment/medical opinion would be different.

ChocolateCoins19 · 31/12/2019 02:19

Many yrs ago I saw a specialist privately as shorter waiting list and had to try in meantime ... Then my NHS apt came thro it was the same person

poppycity · 31/12/2019 02:48

I have and honestly the difference was incredible. What my private Gyne did was do all my tests via NHS but the difference in the time I was given, the range of options and support was incredible. While it was the same person, the standard of care was so different and the consultant agreed. She also had a senior consultant look at me for no extra money and I would have waited a year at the time to see that senior consultant.

I'm not wealthy at all, I put the cost on my credit card as I was desperate for answers and they found a very serious condition that two NHS Dr's had missed. I got treatment started straight away as a result. I'd do it again.

Good luck.

Pixxie7 · 31/12/2019 02:50

They are often the same person, the big difference is that on the nhs you’re less likely to see the consultant.

Nat6999 · 31/12/2019 03:17

I was under a gynaecologist at my local private hospital through NHS choose & book, I definitely got better treatment than I would have got going to the NHS hospital. I got my initial consultation much quicker, was booked in for a laparoscopy at my consultation, knew the date & time straight away, only had to arrive at the hospital an hour before my theatre slot & was on my way home again within 2 hours of getting back on the ward, my drugs were prescribed before I went to theatre so I didn't have to wait for them to come from the pharmacy before I could go home. I had to have a second lap to remove an ovarian cyst, one ovary & both tubes, again knew my admission time & date well in advance, again was in, done & out within 4 hours. I had a hysterectomy 6 months later, didn't go in until 5.00pm, theatre by 6.00pm, was back in bed watching soaps just after 8.00pm, my partner was able to stay over with me, pain relief was given without having to ask or wait, catheter & drain out at 5.30am, was on my way home by 9.00am with prescribed painkillers & dressings already waiting for me. I've always had a single ensuite room, always been able to have either a family member or my partner with me the whole time I was in, never had any problems with appointments or theatre slots being cancelled, my consultant always had time to sit & explain everything, not rushed like in NHS hospital.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 03:21

If you pay to see a private gynaecologist you will have a longer more detailed appointment and you could be fast tracked for treatment on the NHS.

onioncrumble · 31/12/2019 03:22

You get to see them for a start. You also get treatments and dianostics rather than 'watch and wait' which is very often how GPs kill their female middle aged patients.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 03:24

@onioncrumble

Do you have experience of this?

onioncrumble · 31/12/2019 03:34

I have certainly seen a lot of people die. I have global Healthcare insurance so use the NHS occasionally if I am there. I recently saw a specialist to get my smear test done and had a mammogram. They are generally just better, it's a fact.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 03:40

@onioncrumble

I am ex NHS employee so I do know how to use the system but I know things can go wrong unfortunately.

onioncrumble · 31/12/2019 03:43

I also am an ex employee, was a UGI NP and walked away because of the killing people. And that was when Blair was chucking cash at it like it was free money.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 03:45

@onioncrumble

The NHS do have a good pension so I am not complaining.

Bluerussian · 31/12/2019 03:53

It depends on the individual gynaecologist. You have to do your homework and find out where they work in the NHS and what they are particularly known for/ areas of expertise.

One advantage of going private is that you will always see the consultant and can arrange tests/treatment at convenient times.

Certainly worth looking into.

OneDay10 · 31/12/2019 03:57

Personally yes. I felt that the care was quicker, and so much better. I was able to see my doctor and the process was just fast tracked. Wrt to the care and experience, yes I do know alot of them work for the NHS but the care stands out. You arent just a number in the factory and have to wait your turn. I felt I could sit and discuss my issues with the doctor , and I was listened to and taken seriously because I was paying. Fortunately gets dh has an excellent Private insurance through work so we only use that.

missyoumuch · 31/12/2019 04:05

A family friend is an NHS consultant gyn who also has a private practice. If you see him privately you get a longer more detailed appointment and far shorter waiting time. The quality of care differs only due to NHS constraints, not the physician's experience or ability.

endofthelinefinally · 31/12/2019 04:18

You need a specialist urogynaecologist. Definitely worth a private consultation initially. Do some googling. Usually the same person will work in the nhs too. The difference is in the waiting time, length of consultation and access to tests and scans etc.
I recently went privately for investigations and treatment because I was seriously ill and despite two urgent referrals, one from my GP and one from another consultant in the same hospital, there were no appointments.
Referrals made in August and September, I am still waiting on the nhs.

JinglingHellsBells · 31/12/2019 08:00

@SinisterBumFacedCat I've been seeing a private gynae for many years. Some of it was/is covered by private medical insurance, other stuff (menopause) is not.

The advantages are:

-You can choose who you see, not necessarily the person your GP suggests and you can go anywhere to see a private consultant (not simply your nearest NHS hospital.)

-I did a lot of research to find a gynae who was interested in and experienced in the issues I had (read their own website and checked out what they offered.)

-Not all specialists specialise in the same thing.
Some gynaes are better at some things than others- surgery for example, or hormonal issues, or finding conditions like endo.

  • You can choose your appt times (within reason.)
  • You get longer- first appts are between 30-45 minutes and plenty of time to talk.
  • They can get results back from tests more quickly.
  • If you need surgery it's far quicker - often within a few days- or they can treat you under the NHS if need be.
  • They can prescribe drugs off -label as they are not bound by NICE of NHS constraints.
JinglingHellsBells · 31/12/2019 08:09

Also @SinisterBumFacedCat You have not said if you have insurance? An appt for a single consultation is around £250. This usually drops down to a bit less for follow up appts.

However, if you need surgery or investigations these can be expensive. For example, a hysterectomy is around £6K and a repair around the same.

I am lucky to have had company private medical cover for over 30 years but have now taken it out independently. Once you have seen the difference you'd not want to be without.

My advice for you long term is get private cover! It won't cover you for your existing condition but for anything in the future it is worth it imo.

For a young person the monthly costs can be around £50, (mine is now double that) but I'd rather pay and cut back on other stuff.

But, like everything, there are good and not so good drs. Don't think 'going private' is always the best as it depends on who you see.

You need to research their experience and, if when you see them you don't hit it off, vote with your wallet- see another one!

It's very much about being a customer and choosing who meets your needs best and being able to travel if they are not on the doorstep.

Roselilly36 · 31/12/2019 08:12

Of course they aren’t any better, but you see them much quicker. As others have said they have NHS post & private posts. Well worth doing if you have the money and need to see someone urgently.

Timmythatyou · 31/12/2019 08:17

In me experience it’s often the same gynaecologist and it also depends on the doctorZ some are better than others or suit you better.’I would get a 2nd opinion though in your circa even if I had to pay for it. It’s not as expensive as you might think. I had a private gynae for something and it was £400 including the all tests and set my mind at ease.