Moving from private to nhs hospital care - is it possible?

[Waferbiscuit]

Elderly DM recently needed urgent surgery so DF arranged for it at a private hospital. It was supposed to be 4-5 days in hospital - but there were complications with the surgery and DM is now day 60 in hospital where DM is recuperating and they are managing infection. It's costing DF a huge amount and he can no longer afford the fees.

DM is not in a position to go home and needs hospital care but it's not clear if or how she might be able to move to an NHS hospital. It's hard to find any information about this online/via the NHS.

Of course DF can talk to the private hospital about this but wants to understand what's possible before he has what he feels is an embarrassing conversation.

Any experience of this or advice would be appreciated.

I wouldn’t be embarrassed. I am sure that many people have had this conversation before you. I would think the consultant responsible for you DMs care would be able to arrange the transfer but you might have to pay for a private ambulance. Does she need to be in hospital or a nursing home ?

She can self discharge and present at A&E worst case scenario.
if she’s been in 60 days that’s highly unusual and sounds like they’re not managing it well. Why have they not transferred her yet. Does the private surgeon also work for NHS org? If so they can arrange a transfer and direct admission to an appropriate nhs bed (though there may be a wait until a bed opens up)

I got into a conversation with a gentleman while waiting in A&E who had transferred his wife out of private care. By private ambulance but had to be through A&E. He did it because the private hospital did not have the facilities to help her any further. It was very complex pneumonia after a bout of flu.