Going private but then offered NHS appointment

[MrsAlwaysRight]

After some advice for my mum. She has terrible varicose veins than continue to get worse causing a lot of pain as her circulation is very poor. She was finally referred to Vascular back in May but was still waiting for an appointment.

I finally convinced her to book a private appointment as it was really affecting her quality of life. Got appointment booked for November. She got a letter yesterday for NHS appointment in December.

We've never used private medical care before so what I want to understand is would it be ok for her to attend the private consultation in November to get a clear idea of what is going on (they will scan both legs and give diagnosis at the appointment). Then also attend the NHS appointment so she is in their system for the option of any necessary treatment?

I don't know whether she will get a scan at the first initial NHS appointment or whether that will be a separate appointment. Will NHS accept scan results done privately or will this cause problems?

Thanks

i don't see an issue with that. I did similar (different condition but appointments came through within weeks of each other). When I went to the NHS one it was very much an initial consultation (they didn't even examine me) and I was told it would be months before I got the next appointment and then the waiting list for treatment was another 6 months. The private appointment ordered further tests and did blood tests at the first consultation and I had an investigative procedure and surgery within 6 weeks! I think the NHS should accept private scans but it might be worth checking before you pay out for one.

Nhs can access private scans with permission and vice versa. I doubt the nhs appointment includes that unless stated on the letter.

I want to understand is would it be ok for her to attend the private consultation in November to get a clear idea of what is going on (they will scan both legs and give diagnosis at the appointment). Then also attend the NHS appointment so she is in their system for the option of any necessary treatment?

totally fine to do that

Will NHS accept scan results done privately or will this cause problems?
sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t, in my experience it’s bit pot luck

I would definitely go for the private appointment and tests, they will tell once your DM has had these, how long the wait list is for actually getting treatment on the NHS. Most Consultants work for both NHS and private.

Be careful and check first.
It used to be possible to jump the queue a bit by having an initial private consultation then moving over to the NHS. They've really clamped down on it. When I tried to ran urgent scan done privately I was warned by the hospital that if I did that I would not be allowed to stay on the NHS pathway.
I would wait.

I would absolutely go private. Something that is affecting your quality of life is serious.

DS needed a child neurology appt a few years ago. We only waited for it on the NHS as at the time I couldn't find a local private consultant. We went to the appt on the NHS. It was a registrar, did a few tests, referred for bigger tests. The next appt came through - for 9 months away!!! Useless.

I managed to get the tests done and find a private consultant in another area 90 mins away who saw him and revised the scans in 6 weeks.

If you have the means I can't see that it ever makes sense to wait on the NHS.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Much appreciated