I'm sorry you're having to wait so long, I would second pp that if you're not classified as urgent, generally speaking that's reassuring! I really hope you get a positive outcome!
Cards on the table: I'm NHS staff. Agree it's not perfect, far from it and quality/wait times vary massively but do not think privatisation is the way to go. I don't know what the answer is though. There's no easy solution.
To the people saying I'd rather it be private and free at point of care disappears, I don't understand what privatisation will change - we'll still be reliant on the same work force - same number of medics, nurses, AHP, admin, estates, catering etc, but with added departments to pay for in finance/billing, marketing, rebranding etc which will incur additional costs, it will mean even more inequitable care regionally than there is now. Ie there's more money in the South therefore would their hospitals attract the better work force, numbers and therefore would boast the shorter waiting times and better care? Would the rich northerners then request to be seen down south, increasing the number of referrals, increasing the wait to be seen, increasing delays to treatment in the South anyway? Then what?
In the north west, across all the trusts, there is a massive deficiency of Haematologists (for example) something like a 40% vacancy rate. It's not because we're not paying enough, because they are all paid (roughly) the same across the country. It's because there aren't enough Haematologists for the demand. Privatisation isn't going to change that. And even if they did offer more money, you'll have to wait 15 years for new haematologists to qualify!
The problem with the NHS is what's expected now. Both by the patients and by the gov, vs what it was set up for! For example, half of our matrons are "corporate" ie, responding to incident investigations, complaints, managing targets such as CQUINS which are mandated and CQC reports/action plans, managing sickness absence and doing appraisals, applying for additional funding for things. Not doing the old school matron job of old.
None of that will go away with privatisation, I imagine it will be more so as it will have to run for profit, not for deficits which it massively does now. The pressure won't go away, it will be even more pressure to see more/do more and make more money as opposed to do what's best for the patient. Plus the pressure from the "I've paid x for this therefore I demand y" brigade will be worse than the "I pay my taxes for this". I've worked in private hospitals and experienced that side too. (Obviously not all private or nhs patients are like that).
I was discussing business planning for next year earlier. I've been told for my services, I've got to ensure more new appointments, but less follow up appointments with less money. How the heck do you do that without compromising patient care? So this year if you got referred in to see dr x, you would get a 30 min new patient appointment and say on average 4 follow ups. If you are referred next year with the same condition, you may get a 15 min appointment with a Physician Associate instead of a consultant, and 2 telephone follow ups instead. The consultants generally speaking are all for now can we deliver the fare differently, but at the end of the day, if consultant thinks she need to see you 6 times, she should be able to! Not discharge you after 2 because that'll all we're paid for! It's infuriating. Will a private health care insist on seeing more or less patients per clinic? Private outpatient appointments for Gynae at the private hospital I worked for 10 years ago was £250 for a 10 min out patient appointment!!!
I really wish there was a better way, the only thing I can think of is better funding, get the money from all the big businesses/MPs/rich folk who don't pay taxes appropriately....hmm what a crazy idea that would be.
I'm rambling now and veered far away from the ops original point. I really am sorry for your nervous wait and wish you all the best!