Paying out of pocket for a second opinion?

[13luckyforsomeone]

Have you had a second opinion on the NHS or paid out of pocket for one at the Royal Marsden, Princess Grace or the London Clinic? Or any other reputable private hospital for that matter?
I’m unhappy with my (nonexistent) treatment plan and would really like to consult someone else.
I’m in the fortunate position that the money is not a major issue (full treatment would be, but I doubt that will be necessary).
Please share any experience you might have. I would truly appreciate it.

You can be referred to a private consultant and pay. Speak to the consultant directly or the hospital you want to attend. You will need to find the person but easy to look up if you know what you want.

I don't know the details but my mother did and it saved her life

I got one on the NHS once when I explained to the consultant how scared I was. He sent my scans to a specialist unit at another hospital.

In my case, I was told that a previous cancer had returned and spread, and then a couple of weeks later they claimed that wasn’t the case and were baffled why I thought that. Luckily I had someone with me so I wasn’t imagining it! But I emailed the consultant and explained how worried I am they’ve got it wrong and how do I know what’s the right result, etc. So he agreed to see me again after sending my results to another specialist.

Thank you.
I’m honestly so confused by the behaviour of my hospital and the complete lack of follow-up. I haven’t even spoken to a doctor for a few months, just nurses, which would be absolutely fine of course if they were knowledgeable but they can tell me nothing. My perfectly sensible questions about recurrence and why no further chemo went unanswered.
I am thinking that I’ll need to go private just to be treated with respect. I have no faith that my current hospital are trying to help me.
(I have stage 4 cancer for what it’s worth. They make me feel like I’m catastrophising.)
As I say I certainly couldn’t afford full private treatment out of pocket but I could probably stretch to up to 10,000 for consultation and any further tests required. I suppose that would be enough to get me started?

You are entitled to a second opinion on the nhs, I was at a local Kent hospital, who pretty much told me not much could be done, asked for second opinion, now at Guys, much better prognosis and treatment plan changed, good luck

I also have stage 4 cancer, you can definitely get a second opinion without paying x

Not that I don’t trust the NHS (I realise many consultants do both NHS and private work) but going private will be much faster, that’s the reason for my choice. I just want to talk to someone and be taken seriously.

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious

Before you spend any money, I'd check the names of the consultants you might be seeing, as many private and NHS consultants will work in many places. You don't want to risk seeing the same one.

Again, apologies if it's really obvious. Best of luck to you.

Oh, cross post 😳

Was it K&C?

You absolutely can do this, just take all tests, reports (PETs, CTs, biopsies, whatever you have), ideally both images and reports with you, treatment history etc.
Initial consultation will be in a range of £300-500max, but you wouldn't want to repeat the tests I'd imagine.
When searching consultant try to find their secretaries (most hospitals will let you know) and ask they will give you full info of what's required.

Any chance you could share which hospital you're with now?

Best of luck

I'm just about to do this but on the advice of my NHS oncologist.

I have a very, very rare stage 4 cancer and I have been rejected for surgery by the hospital which specialises in it. I asked to be referred to the other hospital in the country which does the op for a second opinion but she said they would reject me too but it would be worth seeing a private surgeon. I don't think either of us is really expecting him to say anything different but I feel that I have nothing to lose and with two teenage children I feel I have to exhaust all possible options.

What kind of cancer do you have @13luckyforsomeone ?

@tothelefttotheleft no DVH

@13luckyforsomeone I asked for a second opinion and was seen within a few weeks, the consultant I see now is top of his field, I honestly am so happy I changed x