Can I ask for your experiences or radiotherapy

[MEgirl]

Trying to decide between NHS or using our private health. If I choose the NHS route what are the chances of the department sticking to appointment times? My hospital has messed up twice with appointments and though I'm very happy with the actual medical care, the administration side of things is disappointing. Today I had an appointment scheduled only to be told on arrival that even if the doctor arrived on time he most likely wouldn't be able to see me or another hour and a half as there wouldn't be a room free. The hospital management had made a sudden change to schedules but hadn't informed patients so they wouldn't turn up too early.

When I turned up for my previous appointment it turned out that my file wasn't in the department and I eventually saw the doctor 2 hours after the scheduled time. All the while watching other people go in before me who arrived long after.

So, I'm wondering whether it is better to take the private route if it will avoid more of these sorts of problems?

This isn't an NHS bashing thread as I understand mistakes happen. I just happen to have had the unfortunate experience of it happening twice in a row.

Why would you use NHS care when you have private health cover for your treatment? That’s a serious question especially if you live near a specialist cancer centre offering private treatment. My husband started cancer treatment on the NHS and switched to private - he chose his Dr, gets seen on time at a convenient time, if he needs to contact the Dr he has his email and the email of the secretary. Treatment is always with the same people, it’s a pleasant environment and, perhaps not relevant to your situation, but he has access to a far wider range of treatments than the NHS is able to fund.

Apart from due to breakdowns, most radiotherapy units run on time pretty much. But if you wanted specific times, the private centres are able to be more accomodating (not that the NHS won't try, just they have more patients per day).