Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to be able to have a hip operation done on the NHS?

77 replies

girlfriend44 · 12/04/2023 22:23

Is anyone waiting or know anyone waiting for a hip replacement?
Hubby had one done a few years ago and we paid as the wait was so long on the NHS and he was in alot of discomfort!
Now he feels that the other one May need doing?

Is the Waiting list still long does anyone know?
Has anyone seen a private consultant and taken the report saying they need a hip op to the NHS and got it done quicker.
Although we would pay again if we had too, it seems wrong that you have too.

Any hints/tips thoughts on this?

OP posts:
limes6 · 24/04/2023 12:07

girlfriend44 · 24/04/2023 11:47

ok, does anyone not think it would be good if they did a part payment thing?

You paid some towards it but not all?

Why? How would this reduce waiting lists?

Nordicrain · 24/04/2023 12:16

girlfriend44 · 24/04/2023 11:47

ok, does anyone not think it would be good if they did a part payment thing?

You paid some towards it but not all?

Not really. Because this just puts the people who can't pay to the very back. So you get a two tier NHS with the poorest constantly at the very back to the queue. The private system is separate (although often the same doctors of course).

Nordicrain · 24/04/2023 12:17

limes6 · 24/04/2023 12:07

Why? How would this reduce waiting lists?

Show quote history

It wouldn't. It would jsut allow people like OP to skip ahead of the povos in the NHS waiting lists.

Chipsdontlie · 24/04/2023 12:32

I had both replaced privately 15k per hip.

limes6 · 24/04/2023 12:36

Nordicrain · 24/04/2023 12:17

It wouldn't. It would jsut allow people like OP to skip ahead of the povos in the NHS waiting lists.

Show quote history

Exactly!

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 25/04/2023 21:33

You could get private surgeons to do more work.

It would cost the nhs less in the long run because you would be paying part of it for them.

OP posts:
Wazzzzzuuuuuuup · 25/04/2023 21:38

Which area are you based OP? You can see current waiting times for providers at MyPlannedCare. You still have the right to choose which provider you attend, and if you are able to travel you can potentially reduce the wait.

TooBigForMyBoots · 25/04/2023 21:45

girlfriend44 · 24/04/2023 11:47

ok, does anyone not think it would be good if they did a part payment thing?

You paid some towards it but not all?

My Trust have done this. They paid 2/3 of the cost for my friend to have a spinal operation in Lithuania. Without it she would have been waiting over 3 years.

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 25/04/2023 21:50

TooBigForMyBoots · 25/04/2023 21:45

My Trust have done this. They paid 2/3 of the cost for my friend to have a spinal operation in Lithuania. Without it she would have been waiting over 3 years.

Show quote history

Good idea.

OP posts:
sleepyscientist · 25/04/2023 21:53

@Nordicrain their is an argument if people were allowed to top up care it could be offered as an incentive to NHS staff to work ooh doing extra "day case" work.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 25/04/2023 21:57

The wait in my area has recently been 2 to 3 years Shock

Within an hours drive the price difference in two separate private clinics for hips is £11000 and £15000

Both far too much for many people that need the surgery.

Someone I know has just had one done and now needs opposite knee and hip due to deterioration because of the original bad side.

She spends her life taking extremely strong painkillers and crying it's so awful Confused

She had to retire slightly earlier than her pension was due so all savings have been eaten up trying to live so nothing to pay for three surgeries privately or she would have done so.

It's absolutely terrible people are suffering so badly and yet nothing seems to be getting done about it

Whoiscomingtosaveyou · 25/04/2023 22:02

girlfriend44 · 13/04/2023 11:07

Wow 5 years!!!!!

Show quote history

It’s longer than that if you need something non- standard. My friend was told 7 years for ankle surgery, by which time her joint would have deteriorated so much the outcome was likely to leave her in a wheelchair. Things are really bad up here

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 25/04/2023 22:08

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 25/04/2023 21:57

The wait in my area has recently been 2 to 3 years Shock

Within an hours drive the price difference in two separate private clinics for hips is £11000 and £15000

Both far too much for many people that need the surgery.

Someone I know has just had one done and now needs opposite knee and hip due to deterioration because of the original bad side.

She spends her life taking extremely strong painkillers and crying it's so awful Confused

She had to retire slightly earlier than her pension was due so all savings have been eaten up trying to live so nothing to pay for three surgeries privately or she would have done so.

It's absolutely terrible people are suffering so badly and yet nothing seems to be getting done about it

Agree your mental health must suffer dramatically.

It isn't right

OP posts:
TooBigForMyBoots · 25/04/2023 22:13

It's not right. Remember that when you come to vote.

endofthelinefinally · 25/04/2023 22:34

girlfriend44 · 25/04/2023 21:33

You could get private surgeons to do more work.

It would cost the nhs less in the long run because you would be paying part of it for them.

The surgeons could possibly do more work, although the majority already work full time in the NHS, but where would you find all the other staff, the beds, the extra theatre time?
Private hospitals are usually pretty full.
The NHS might have empty theatres and available surgeons, but no beds/nurses/anaesthetists/support staff. This is the main reason for long waiting lists.

vipersnest1 · 25/04/2023 22:42

YADNBU, but sadly the waiting lists for NHS help are ridiculous. In my area, the wait for spinal blocks are over a year, as are the waits for even being seen for bone spurs pressing on nerves - I have both.
I also have no cartilage left behind one kneecap - any help? No. Arthritis crippling my fingers and thumbs - No. I was referred for help with a prolapse 16 months ago and am nowhere nearer surgery either.
Yes, I have a lot of problems. I'm due to receive some inheritance once probate is granted and it has been suggested to me that I use the money towards some of it.
Should I have to? NO.
I've worked over 40 years paying NI and tax. It's rubbish.

Oblomov23 · 25/04/2023 22:48

Terrible back pain. 3 months to even be seen by Doctor at MSK clinic. So sad.

NImumconfused · 25/04/2023 22:53

My mum just had her knee replacement last week after 5 years on the waiting list - it's insane.

Nordicrain · 26/04/2023 09:36

sleepyscientist · 25/04/2023 21:53

@Nordicrain their is an argument if people were allowed to top up care it could be offered as an incentive to NHS staff to work ooh doing extra "day case" work.

Yes, but if it is effectively pay to get ahead of the queue then the queue is only going to get longer for those who can't pay. Those who can pay can go private. There shouldn't be a cheaper "queue jump" option for "free" universal health care.

LINDAHOAD · 15/09/2023 17:32

i have been referred on the nhs to a surgeon for a knee replacement - i have got an appointment but when i have checked his ratings he has done very few knee replacements. my understanding of knee replacements is that you need an experienced surgeon for a good outcome he has done 11 in a year and the national average is 127. i am therefore reluctant at my age 75 years to have surgery with him can i ask the hospital for a referral with a surgeon who has a higher output of knee replacements

Lemonyfuckit · 15/09/2023 18:05

Watching with interest as we think my DM needs a hip replacement. She had x-rays about a year and a half ago and was told she had significant deterioration in her hip (and spine) and would be referred for a consultant appointment. Waited, waited, nothing. I 'nagged' her on a regular basis to phone her GP and follow up as to status of consultant appointment but for some unfathomable reason she wouldn't until this August (so basically she waited over a year to just ring the GP and follow up) and was given an appointment for start of October, which then immediately got cancelled and rebooked for end of October. I find it so frustrating she wouldn't follow up as once she did she got an appointment within a few months, as she needs to have this appointment to then get on the actual waiting list for the hip replacement itself (assuming that's what is needed) which as this thread has proved, is very very long....and in the meantime her hip and mobility have obviously continued to deteriorate.....
I think she's seriously downplaying how painful it's getting and how difficult to walk very far. If when she sees the consultant it is a hip replacement she needs, and the waiting list is as long as it is expected to be I will 'nag' her to go private as she could afford it, and I think it would be worth it for quality of life, but obviously she's one of the lucky ones and it's just so so poor that state things have got into. She shouldn't have to pay having paid tax and NI all her life, but there it is.

FairlySane · 15/09/2023 18:10

Waiting time in NHS Grampian (Scotland) was 13 months for my BIL for hip replacement. Not 5-6.

Parker231 · 15/09/2023 18:14

girlfriend44 · 24/04/2023 11:47

ok, does anyone not think it would be good if they did a part payment thing?

You paid some towards it but not all?

The NHS work on who has the greatest need for the surgery, not who can make a contribution towards the cost. Ability to pay doesn’t make your surgery more urgent.

BIossomtoes · 15/09/2023 18:19

You get it done instantly if you fall and break it but it’s a bit of a drastic way to jump the queue.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 15/09/2023 18:40

You need to get more information about how the waiting time is made up.

A few years ago in my area, the NHS protocol was (as I recall) try physio for 6 weeks (6 week wait to start), go onto wait list for pre consultant assessment clinic (at least another 6 weeks), try anything they recommend for as long as they recommend it, go on to another 6 week waiting list to see consultant. If consultant approved op, then go on waiting list for op. So a minimum of 24 weeks before you ever got on to the waiting list for the op. And that's assuming all the referrals worked according to plan.

You could bypass all but the last waiting list by paying for a single private consultation, which cost around £150-£200. You could then ask to be put on the consultant's NHS list and start the final waiting list time straight away.

If you actually need a hip replacement I don't see this as jumping the queue as much as bypassing queues that you don't need to be in anyway, and freeing up NHS resources for anyone who does need physio etc. It does cost something, but nothing like as much as private surgery.