overlap NHS and private ?

[pulcino]

I am 8 weeks pregnant and considering going private at Queen Charlotte while waiting for first visit as NHS patient there, at what point should I think of switching from NHS patient to private?
In other words: does it make sense to continue to be NHS patient if already a private patient at Queen Charlotte? For example, for a second opinion on scans etc.?

I think it's normally one or the other. If you're under the care of a private consultant, it's normally taken that you will stay under them, otherwise it can get complicated from a duty of care point of view.

However, if you want a referral for a second opinion privately, your GP can arrange it. But that's kind of a one off appointment iyswim. Similarly, you can book a private scan with no consequence on your nhs care

does any of that make sense?

I went private but also had the NHS scans. However, the NHS weren't aware I was seeing a private consultant at that point. When I told them (to cancel the "booking in" at the NHS hospital) I was told that I could still see the community midwives. I chose not to, but some people find them useful.

I had the NHS scans so I got to see the baby more often. As I was seeing the consultant regularly, I didn't feel I would benefit from MW appointments so opted out of this side of NHS care.

Thank you all for your replies. I will give it a try with NHS, and combined with some private scans before switching to private care at QC.

If anything gets picked up on private tests, the NHS doesn't have to deal with it without you going through the referall and testing stage again - you can't "queue-jump" using private tests anyway. Any required treatment arising from private medical care (appointments, tests, prescriptions, whatever) is technically exempt from the NHS. The last Government promised to change the law on private medical care and so-called "top-up fees" but it turned out they never actually did it.

Also you do know that NHS consultants often moonlight doing private work don't you? So "second opinion on scans" might well be a bit pointless if the second opinion is given by the same person.

Does anyone know if it is possible to have an NHS delivery but get moved to a private post-natal ward? The reason I ask is because I will be treated as a high-risk case (my baby passed away shortly after her birth from early onset infection) and so I have no doubt that the NHS care I will receive this time will be very good. However, NHS post-natal wards scare the crap out of me and so would like private care at that point.

some nhs hosps do offer private postnatal room.ask mw.sorry about your baby,thats so tough.make sure they offer you post birth debrief and any additional mw support.be prepared for birth dredging up painful raw stuff

thanks scottishmummy. i had a separate room last time on the nhs ward but the mw care was shockingly bad and i was told that baby not feeding, having constantly low temp, sleeping throughout the time we there, not feeding was NORMAL. i know that these things can be normal but they weren't alert that something was wrong. this time, i just want my baby to be monitored more regularly. i don't think nhs will give me that as they are understaffed.

ask to speak to midwifery lead,book appt raise your valid concerns.you need to be on their radar as mum in need of monitoring of physical and mental health.hope all goes well