AIBU to assume you would not used private HC on a one-off etc if needs must??

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I've been reading on MN and another forum about more people turning to private HC - this includes dentists as well

Would you use private HC for yourself or a loved one if they were suffering from pain/aneity etc re the long waiting lists in the NHS, EG, as scan, ultrasound scan, kneep/hip relacment/cataracts/etc, blood tests - to put your minds at rests and or get the treatment you require to a point

Even if you are not rich, I know of a few people where their life was miserable due to knee problems and the waiting lists if you got a referral and then the consultant agreed to operate, start to finish is months - via private ins or one off fees you can get the op within a week or so

Therefore - AIBU to assume that most people if you have the money (not rich and or a lot left over after paying) would pay for scans/teeth/knee ops etc to speed up the process of recovery or at least find out, rule out what may or may not be going on??

AIBU = most people that could afford price HC would not go private

I am being reasonable - ie assuming those that could afford, even borrow a few quid would go private for their loved ones

My dad waited 2 years for a hip replacement - was in awful pain every day but refused to pay (despite being able to). Mainly due to a “why should I have to pay” attitude - being 86 he was sold the “cradle to grave” ideal of the nhs and is of the opinion that he is “entitled” to treatment when he needs it.

@daydreamsandsunbeams is there? They’re both buying a privilege other people can’t afford.

Yes absolutely 100% I would, and I have done once a few years ago to get a CT scan quicker than I would have got on the NHS. I'm definitely not rich but I'll go without everything to ensure my health is protected if I think it could have serious consequences to wait for NHS treatment.

I wonder if one of the reasons the waiting lists for NHS treatment have gone down is precisely because more and more of us are using the private sector.

The NHS is broken. We need a new model (like Farage says). No party will look at the working systems of Spain and France.

Yes, I have private dental insurance and private medical cover. A relative has struggled with the NHS and they have Stage 4 cancer. Missed letters, not joined up,etc etc.

Yes definitely.
KS on the political debate last week said he wouldn't but I'm calling BS. surely if one of his kids needed treatment he would be quick changing his mind.

I use private dentist, but not exactly through choice as the only other option round here is no dentist at all.

I did opt to have my hysterectomy done privately, this was getting on for 20 years ago, and I felt a 6 month wait with very severe symptoms was far too long. I suspect the wait would be a fair bit longer now. I had the cash in my savings due to an inheritance.

I had an echocardiogram done privately a couple of years ago after a suspected mild heart attack. The wait on the NHS would have only been about 6-8 weeks, but I was worried sick I had a blockage in my artery, and was going to drop dead. So had it done within the week and sent the report to my NHS cardiologist who was happy I had had it done.

I don't see a problem with doing this, I wasn't queue jumping the NHS or using NHS facilities. My procedures were carried out in private clinics with their own staff and equipment. Me having my things done privately freed up an NHS appointment for someone else to use.

Going through this exact same thing with my sister- in- law. We have just got back from a private GP appointment because totally unable to even get through being number 27 in the queue at 8 am. Private was £120 and within a couple of hours. Scan arranged for Friday at a cost of £350. That was all done and we are awaiting the results. I think the private doctors are used to it because the plan is to write to the GP with the diagnosis and have NHS care from there. My sister-in-law was very honest and said she would not be able to afford surgery or anything far past an initial consultation and scan but wanted a diagnosis.

I know several people that have done this including a neighbour that went to an orthopedic surgeon for a private consultation. He had been having trouble with his knee for years and the NHS gave him deep heat, pain killers and physiotherapy. In the end he was desperate and the private surgeon wrote to his GP recommending a knee replacement on the NHS because the issue was bone on bone and nothing else would alleviate the pain. He ended up with that private surgeon doing the operation in the private hospital but paid for by the NHS. It would have been £16K if he had to pay.

I'm probably about to do it.

Seeing a Consultant tomorrow as I need surgery. I know what the waiting time is and know he also does private work, so I'll go private to essentially jump the queue.

Private health insurance is a work perk, so I'll use it.