How to go about a private GP appointment.

[Alphabet1spaghetti2]

Would be grateful for any advice as I think my brain has glitched.

How do I go about booking a private GP face to face appointment ? It is for suspected stomach cancer. Is bupa better than Nuffield, do I need to find one that specialises in Gastric or pain relief? Or are they generalists? Google is giving me the impression that I need to book a face to face at a private hospital as opposed to a clinic based GP.

Dh has seen his Nhs GP and has been referred on the two week pathway, but is in pain and needs to know what he is facing. Nhs GP has refused pain relief other than paracetamol and has refused a sick note for his work. Apparently they are two separate issues and need two more appointments - the next available appointment is a month away. He only managed to get an emergency appointment after 2 weeks of daily phoning. Dh was prescribed antacids. He had been referred for blood tests, (2 weeks for results) stool tests (2 weeks for results) and endoscopy. Our local A and E has some of the worst wait times (18+ hours) and understandably Dh would rather be in pain at home rather than on the floor of an and e. The hospital wait for scans which are around 26 weeks.

As PPs have said, you're fine to self pay. Two of my friends are private oncology consultants and they prefer self pay as the big insurers put a fee cap on them.

And you don't always need a referral, I'd find a private consultant and ring their secretary (who are usually brilliant), explain the situation and see what they advise. They may organise tests before you go so you can be seen with some results at least.

I would say that consultations aren't that expensive but scans and blood tests can be eye watering so you might find the NHS is a better option. Mt MIL has stomach cancer and raves about her NHS treatment (and she has private health insurance).

@dancingdaisies derby area.
@NewYearNewName2024 They offer (free) the mental health talking therapy under certain criteria only eg weight loss, bullying. If they offer private health care (paid for/contribution) then Dh hasn’t taken that up. So that’s a non starter unfortunately- benefit of hindsight and all that.
@Lokshen initially pain relief and sick note. Would happily pay for diagnostic tests, but several posters are saying it might not be any quicker.
@Newbutoldfather I will admit I am worried about time being lost if the two week referral isn’t two weeks. Dh is deteriorating daily and he’s, I admit I’m frightened that if it is cancer that it is already advanced, with all that entails especially as it’s suspected stomach cancer. Although tonight he seems wierdly accepting and not worried.

For those talking about private oncologists, they just wouldn’t be appropriate pre diagnosis (cancer hasn’t even been confirmed yet). And even if it were, the appropriate route might be surgery first.

It is really tricky to do privately as you need a diagnosis and then a multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss appropriate treatment.

Of course it is possible, but it is seriously expensive (not just a few thousand).

But you can see a gastro consultant without a cancer diagnosis. I had some cancerous symptoms and saw one a few months ago. They'll run the tests and make the diagnosis.

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 ,

It is really tricky and a horrid situation for you.

People I know have done well advocating for themselves or loved ones. I would call the hospital daily and ask if there are cancellations.

If he is really bad, though, I would seek to get him admitted via A&E, where they can at least control the pain (and, hopefully, fast track tests).

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

@Newbutoldfather thank you. Private gp it is.
You are right we couldn’t afford to do the whole cancer treatment privately scenario. But am more than willing to at least get a diagnosis one way or another. It’s not knowing and not even knowing when test appointments will arrive, a hen the results and even how to get the results - nhs gp surgery websitesay via patient access, yet the reception said by email, the hospital says by post, the gp herself said by voice mail. 🤷‍♀️

left wondering if the pigeon in the garden is a postal pigeon!

@Newbutoldfather thank you. I will advocate for him to best of my ability. Even if I get known as one of ‘those people/service users’. If that’s what it takes.

@blue345 thank you. Nice to hear a positive experience, am wishing your mil continued good health.

My friends dad was in a similar situation he was fobbed off by they doctor and then put on waiting lists so he paid for a private consult at spire, it actually turned out to be very serious and he was bounced back to the nhs for them to deal with which they actually did quickly

@dancingdaisies oh your are a star thank you!

I would say be careful what you ask for….nobody has cancer until they are told they do…..however once a person have a diagnosis it’s what happens next…..in the nhs the results would be taken to the mdt before you are even given them….so that at your results appt you will also be given a provisional treatment plan and given timeframes for surgery or referral to oncology…or whatever….with private , if your intention is to be referred back to nhs….all this will be stalled…..you will be referred urgently but in reality could need repeat scans….bloods….take to mdt…..could be a few more weeks wasted…….I would keeep any nhs appt you are given

If it gives you hope, there's been so many breakthroughs in cancer treatment in the last few years. She's had surgery, chemo and now immunotherapy and she's doing really well (hers was quite advanced).

One of my clients invests in biotech businesses and some of the cutting edge innovations are very exciting, I can't remember the correct terminology but essentially you take cells out of a patient and create personalised treatments that use your cells to attack the cancer cells. There's disease modifying treatments for previously untreatable diseases, gene therapy etc, add in AI and the rate of progress is amazing. If that helps in any way.

And you may find it's something else entirely. I can think of three friends who had classic cancer symptoms but had quite rare (and non life threatening) gastro type diseases instead.

Hi OP
Do you have a Spire hospital near you? I have used their private GP service a few times and they have referred me on to the appropriate consultant. It all was very quick and easy and I found it to be a good service.
Hope all goes ok. Best of luck to you and your DH.

@blue345 I am really hoping it’s something else and not cancer. But I’m also aware that his past medical history, current progressive symptoms and age are not exactly great. Which was another thing the gp pointed out. (It was not a positive or hopeful appointment) I don’t know if he would do cancer treatment tbh, and something I will have to wrap my head around. Tonight he is saying he’s accepting that if it’s his time then it’s his time. Which I find scary as he’s never been like that before.

@Kitkat1523 I know that. But we do need to know, he needs to be out of pain, and yes selfishness comes into it - I need to be busy doing something proactive. He will keep his nhs appointments.

As awful as the long wait will be it really does sound like your DH needs to head to A&E for pain relief. They may even run some tests to see if they can find the cause of the pain but at the very least can make him feel comfortable.

re seeing a private specialist a referral isn’t always needed. I’m paying for a private appointment, they suggested my GO write a referral but it’s not compulsory.

@Bathoclock I agree regarding pain and an and e. He hasn’t been able to get down complan tonight and is currently alternating between bed and a chair trying to get comfortable. Taken maximum paracetamol and his prescribed antacids. He’s currently refusing point blank my suggestions of an and e or 111 for help. He’s 6’2 and I’m 5’. As weak as he is, I can’t force into the car - which I’ve plonked right outside our front door just incase. I don’t want to increase his acid production/pain by raising his stress levels by having an argument either. But I have packed a grab bag and a folding chair just incase.
I want him to go to a and e as I do think that would be best, but I also do get that staying at home even in pain, feels less scary and is nicer than the floor of a and e. It has to be his decision. I cannot take that bit of power away from him yet.

You can PAYG.

We have in the past.

Tbh if he cannot keep anything down and you get to the point where he cannot get himself to the car call 999. A paramedic can assess whether he needs to be seen.

You need a gastroenterologist.
Nuffield Derby website will give you a list of drs/surgeons.
You can phone on a Sunday and make an outpatient appointment and self fund.
The initial appointment is usually in the region of £150-200.
Tests and scans are obviously more and vary in price.
Most private drs work in the local NHS hospitals.
Good luck x

@LIZS well, he’s half way there. He can still
move in and out of bed and the chair. I suggest he lets me take him and he refuses, then doubles up in pain. So I think I need to stop suggesting because I’m making things worse, and just wait until the situation does change either way.
It is going to be a long night for both of us.

As another poster has said, an ambulance. The paramedic can administer pain relief and keep him comfortable on the journey and whilst waiting.

Ambulance. Now. X

He could have a bowel blockage given the symptoms he experiencing. As a compromise you could ask your DH if he happy for you contact 111 for advice, they will send an ambulance which then takes the decision from you.