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Original poster

Appointment with GP - heart sunk

261 replies

MarriedThreeChildren · 11/04/2022 10:12

Had an appointment last week with my GP. I’ve had a bad flare up from a chronic illness.

Went through everything, agreed to be referred back to hospital consultant. And then came the killer question

Do you have an insurance and want to go private or are we going NHS?

With the clear feeling that really the ‘right’ answer was going private :(:(

Since when is the NHS pushing patients to go private? Not so long ago it was such a big No-No. No GP would ever ask that question as a routine question. Rather people would ask if they knew they could get quicker/see who they wanted to see.

But here we go. The system is so fucked up that GPS are now trying to push people to go private rather than NHS.

I find it extremely worrying (I mean which insurance will ever cover me with a chronic condition that has been there for 15 years anyway??). Is it now the only way to get some decent medical support?
I have no idea when I will be able to see the consultant. GP ‘wasn’t aware about the lead times’ (last time I went to see them the wait was about 1 years. It was pre covid etc…. So I suspect…. much more than that…)

OP posts:
Original poster
MarriedThreeChildren · 11/04/2022 10:12

Not sure what’s my question is.
Just felt deflated and worried tbh.

OP posts:
Hersetta427 · 11/04/2022 10:13

Maybe that was just a way if you have private medical insurance through work maybe not necessarily asking you to pay out for private treatment

Horcruxe · 11/04/2022 10:14

But it isnt your GP's fault the wait is very long for your hospital appointment.

BoodleBug51 · 11/04/2022 10:14

DH went private for cardiac investigations, and it took him to the top of the queue for investigations. Only the treatment he needs isn't available privately, it's only through a specialist NHS unit about 60 miles away. He's been waiting 7 months for "urgent" treatment and only after persistent chasing on my part has been given a date for the end of next month.

So we spent thousands for very little gain, tbh. It was the first thing our GP said too. I think they're just being realistic about the NHS waiting lists to tell the truth.

jusdepamplemousse · 11/04/2022 10:14

To be fair ten or so years ago I was being advised to go private by the NHS. It’s really disheartening though yes. Hope you get the help you need.

jusdepamplemousse · 11/04/2022 10:15

Oh yes and some corporate packages offer insurance for pre existing conditions.

VanGoghsDog · 11/04/2022 10:16

Odd question given that medical insurance doesn't cover chronic conditions generally.

If they're going to start asking that, they're going to need to have a better understanding of it aren't they?

VanGoghsDog · 11/04/2022 10:18

@jusdepamplemousse

Oh yes and some corporate packages offer insurance for pre existing conditions.
Pre existing maybe (though these are far less common now), chronic - no.
Holly60 · 11/04/2022 10:20

It is horrible. It makes my heart sink too.

LBFseBrom · 11/04/2022 10:20

@Hersetta427

Maybe that was just a way if you have private medical insurance through work maybe not necessarily asking you to pay out for private treatment
I agree.

Don't take it that you were being pushed in the direction of private medical care, op. I mean, there would be nothing in it for your GP, they don't earn commission; he was just thinking it would be quicker to see someone privately. After all, a GP knows about waiting lists.

What some people do is have a private consultation after which the consultant refers you to his or her NHS clinic. I have done that years ago.

I'm sorry you are having a flare up of your condition and hope it isn't too long before you see a specialist. Is there anything your GP can do to help in the meantime?

SpringsSprung · 11/04/2022 10:22

@Horcruxe

But it isnt your GP's fault the wait is very long for your hospital appointment.
Spectacularly missing the point there! 😆
Patchbatch · 11/04/2022 10:23

It doesn't sound like they were pushing you, just asking. With more people who can afford to opting to go private makes sense not to assume before referring on and wasting a space on the waiting list. The list probably is horrendously long as the NHS is on its knees, if it makes some think ah yeah can afford that sounds good then it'll be less of a wait for you.

Original poster
MarriedThreeChildren · 11/04/2022 10:25

@Horcruxe

But it isnt your GP's fault the wait is very long for your hospital appointment.
Where did I say it was the GP’s fault?
OP posts:
DifficultBloodyWoman · 11/04/2022 10:27

10-12 years ago, I saw my GP and she needed to refer me. I asked for a private referral (I had Bupa health insurance) so I could have some limited input into dates and times of appointments and the surgery.

My GP was massively against it and I really had to push. She kept insisting I could have it done on the NHS. She eventually relented and said she would give me a private referral but only to someone who also worked in the NHS and was therefore properly peer reviewed etc.

That worked for me. In fact, it meant that I saw the best doctor (actually, a professor) rather than one of his minions or students.

I’m not sure what the NHS waiting times we’re back then but I doubt they are anything like they are now. The GP’s behaviour really surprised me as I taught she would be happy to keep people off NHS lists were possible to speed things up for those who couldn’t afford insurance.

I do wonder if the GP would do the same thing now - how times have changed!

Mangogogogo · 11/04/2022 10:27

My work pays medical insurance that covers everything so some people will be able to choose that option, some of my teammates have. I know we’re lucky and I’m not rubbing it in I just mean that I guess offloading some people from the NHS to go private is surely a good thing? I’m sorry you’re having a crap time though, I’m having a bad day too its shite isn’t it!

Scianel · 11/04/2022 10:28

It seems like such a big change. I had an issue about fifteen years ago that I was back and forth to my gp for and get referred on, I did ask her if I should consider going private and she looked almost offended!

Original poster
MarriedThreeChildren · 11/04/2022 10:29

@Patchbatch

It doesn't sound like they were pushing you, just asking. With more people who can afford to opting to go private makes sense not to assume before referring on and wasting a space on the waiting list. The list probably is horrendously long as the NHS is on its knees, if it makes some think ah yeah can afford that sounds good then it'll be less of a wait for you.
You mean it was the obvious question to someone who has just told you they are too bad to work anymore and even before we’re only working part time in a job that would never have allowed them to pay for a private insurance?

There was something in the tone of her voice that was screaming ‘please say you are going private’. And it might well have been a ‘Please go private because I know you won’t be able to get any support for a very long time’.
But it doesn’t change the fact that the system is so run down that it just can’t offer basic care.

OP posts:
Fireflygal · 11/04/2022 10:32

Can you say what the health condition is? Some areas of the NHS are definitely under more pressure. I see the question as pragmatic - some people with have private cover so if that can be used why not?

Original poster
MarriedThreeChildren · 11/04/2022 10:33

@Mangogogogo not rubbing it in at all.

DH has a an insurance through work but it’s patchy and doesn’t cover my condition. And even then it’s only for investigation not for treatments, doesn’t cover for example etc…

I think one worry is that we are very steadily moving towards an American style system but there is NOTHING in place yet for that. Including appropriate health insurance. Until now private insurance were really about filling a few gaps not about day to day stuff isywim

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 11/04/2022 10:33

Not a GP but I've asked patients if they have insurance for years.

There are some things that have always had v long waits.
Most people with insurance want to use it - some forget they have it and that what you are talking about will be covered.

If I know I'm dealing with a patient going private, it helps me plan my bit of the treatment better too.

At least she didn't ask you if you wanted to self fund privately.

Patchbatch · 11/04/2022 10:34

You could have masses of savings, a spouse who's insurance covers you- your GP may know a lot about your medical history but not about you as a person I doubt. I think it's fairer they ask everyone, if it wasn't brought up and you said hey Sarah was asked if she was going private and I wasn't no doubt people would complain they're assuming I'm poor or whatever. And yes, the GP is probably exasperated at seeing their patients languish on long waiting lists when the treatments would enhance their lives, so probably was hoping you'd say you could go private for your sake, not theirs. And yes I don't think anyone is disagreeing that the system is broken and can't offer basic care, which begs the question why people still cling onto the NHS like it's the best thing ever. The ethos, free at point of use, could be carried out in different models that don't resemble the not fit for purpose anymore NHS.

Patchbatch · 11/04/2022 10:35

I think one worry is that we are very steadily moving towards an American style system but there is NOTHING in place yet for that.

There are plenty of healthcare systems between the NHS and an American system, yet its always the one that's mentioned.

Livebythecoast · 11/04/2022 10:36

@Patchbatch

It doesn't sound like they were pushing you, just asking. With more people who can afford to opting to go private makes sense not to assume before referring on and wasting a space on the waiting list. The list probably is horrendously long as the NHS is on its knees, if it makes some think ah yeah can afford that sounds good then it'll be less of a wait for you.
This. I work in a surgery and it's pretty standard now, with the NHS waiting lists so long. Quite a lot of patients don't say anything, the GP does a referral then the patient contact us saying they've got insurance through their employer/spouse's work or whatever and can we change it to a private referral, doubling the work for GP and secretary. I hope you get sorted and an appointment soon.
Nutellaonall · 11/04/2022 10:40

Private medical insurance doesn’t cover you for chronic illnesses anyway! We are all stuffed!

Pinkdelight3 · 11/04/2022 10:42

With the clear feeling that really the ‘right’ answer was going private

Sorry you're ill and sure it's making things feel worse, but I think this may be in your head. They're just asking, not pushing, because some people will have insurance. No need for a big heart sink. Look after yourself Flowers

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