How do I get a private appointment?

[KatyMac]

I need a colonoscopy; do I just ring the Bupa hospital?
Or do I need a letter from the GP

Do you have health insurance? Typically you see your GP who will arrange the referral to your private hospital of choice.

No but the GP has referred me for one & it will be 12-16 weeks before it happens

TBH I'm not terribly impressed as I am quite poorly

If you have medical insurance, you should check with them whether they wil pick up the bill - and if they will whether there are any restrictions on who/where.
If not - then do some checking out yourself of costs/facilities locally.
I think you can go direct to a hospital but probably best to go back to your GP and ask for a private referal
Good luck

This is definitely a private hospital referral? It does sound like a long time. Have you got a name of the consultant you will be seeing? I would try to find the number for their secretary and give them a call/

No the wait is for the NHS & I'm too impatient

Sorry just read that you are not privately insured. In that case you will probably have to look at self funding it. Once again give a secretary of a gastroenterology consultant a call. I think average price for colo is around £800.

NHS wait is usually 18 weeks. Must be done within 18 weeks maximum.

Exactly, I just remembered I have Healthshield which will help

But it's a bugger; I had one many years ago, but I didn't wait long for that

I'm going away in December & I will struggle to get insurance if I have an outstanding appointment

Are you happy with the consultant the GP has written to - it's the wait that is the problem? If so, contact his NHS secretary and find out where you can see him more quickly (assuming he works privately). She will probably give you the number of his private secretary, who you can talk to and explain the situation. He will probably accept the referral letter already prepared by your GP.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks but I have no idea who he has written to, I guess I can ask at the surgery

Your letter from the hospital telling you the date of your appointment should say the consultants name on.

Katy - phone the GP and ask who he's written to.

No letter - just a phone call

I will ring

OK

I'm in the choose & book system; I can't have an appointment until I choose one, it goes to the hospital & they confirm it, then they send it to me - which will take about 2 weeks apparently

Ok if you want to go down the private route (and you don't have health insurance) you can call the private hospital and ask for the finance department. Advise that you are self funding. They will break down costs for you and give you the doctor's name.

You then need to get your GP to write a referral letter to the private hospital.

It is are arse about face. You can't get the private appointment without a GP referral and the GP won't write a letter without knowing who he is writing to.

This was my experience anyway!

Thanks I am waiting to speak to my GP's secretary tomorrow

I guess I may be being unreasonable but I don't think a 4 month wait is acceptable

OK - I talked to my parents & they will help me plus Healthshield will pay bits

Now all I need is an appointment

Before you fork out, do also find out here your NHS referral has gone. If you know what consultant and what hospital, phone the switchboard and ask to speak to DR xxx secretary.

Be very very nice and personable to her. Ask her for an idea of waiting times. As her how they manage cancellations. Can you be on a cancellation list? Some secretaries are very powerful - my consultant's went tap tap tap and hey bingo DS2 tonsils out the next week!

My appointment has 'gone' to the choose & book system & it will be 10-14 days before a consultant accepts it

Progress is great isn't it

I phoned my GP's surgery & spoke to the secretary; I should get a phone call on Monday

Hope you get it all sorted

Thanks Ednurse - appreciate everyone's help

Appointment - Thursday morning

Thats good let us know how you get on