Going private for tests? How does it work with the NHS?

[theferry]

I was referred for an urgent sigmoidoscopy 3 months ago and have been told it will be another 4 months at least. I have had enough of worrying and looking at going private. I’ve never had any private treatment before so im not sure how it works with the NHS if they find anything sinister. Would that allow me to access treatment from the NHS? While we can afford the test, we couldn’t pay much more than that.

My husband is going through the same. Needs urology appt was told 104 weeks on nhs so going private as it's a matter of says. Was told have the assessment then tell them you wish to continue on nhs. We were told dr will write to GP and GP then sends letter to nhs

Most (but not all) consultants are happy to transfer you onto their NHS list if necessary after you have seen them privately. We did it when DD needed spinal surgery

Thank you so much. That’s reassuring. Poor people not referred as urgent for this test are waiting 18 months.

Hey my husband was referred for a colonoscopy he is having really and bowel issues and symptoms they initially done him as routine I went mad and called them on there NHS guidelines it states with such symptoms there needs to be urgent investigation and I told them to document that they declined urgent within 2 weeks testing on my husbands notes.. I also sent a email to pals.. then the next day they called me and said he’s colonoscopy is in 3 weeks which is 10th December..
you have to be ur own advocate bcoz the nhs is so run down with waiting lists … If u symptoms are getting worse push for a sooner date

@Bubbletrouble2 ive tried. They were insistent that there is nothing they can do. Going private is my last way of getting seen sooner.

if you don’t mind me asking what is ur procedure for

I've done this before and been accepted on the NHS list.
However this year I needed an ultrasound and was already under gynae. They told me that if I had it done privately I would have to be referred again from scratch to gynae.
Other areas may differ but my take from this is that if the GP has asked for the test it's fine but if a hospital specialist has requested it then you can't jump the queue.

@Bubbletrouble2 its because I have lower abdominal pain and blood in stools. So the obvious worry is colon cancer, but I’ve read there are many other reasons for something like that

i spoke with my GP this afternoon and she said it would be fine. I could slot back into the NHS if any treatment was needed, although goodness knows how long that might take. I can afford the test, but not any further treatment.

Did the GP say why you were not put on the 2 week cancer pathway if there is a real concern that it could be colon cancer?

It was the hospital, not the GP, that decided it was urgent. She referred me as mon-urgent and then the hospital categorised it as urgent when they got the referral. It was only when I rang the hospital to ask about how much longer jr would be that they told me it was urgent. GP didn’t know this either. I only found all of this out on Monday.

@theferry I had the same issue turned out be to internal hemeroids and then I had a MrI which showed endometriosis! Hemeroids can be a pain but it should be treated as 2 week pathway … sent a email to pals telling them u want it documented that they are taking this long and ur worried for ur health it always works

Does right to choose apply here? Not sure it covers everything but isn't it for times when the NHS wait is too long?

@NerdyBird nor sure if this is just England? I’m in Scotland.

I have to get it done quickly so will go for the private test over pursuing the NHS. Basically, I need to travel for work, but I’ve been told they can’t get medical insurance for me while I have outstanding tests. I’m in danger of losing my job now so every day counts.