Is it worth self funding tests before NHS appointment

[Buynow]

I've been referred to gastroenterology by my GP.
Pretty sure I need a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy. The waiting time for first appointment is at least 6 months and could be as long as 10 months.
I don't have health insurance but could probably self fund these tests.
I know you can't jump the NHS queue by having private tests but I was wondering how it would work.
If I had those tests before my NHS appointment would they accept them or just repeat them? Would it speed up diagnosis in any way or would it be a waste of money ?

Hi
Yes, the NHS will accept private results, and it will speed up your diagnosis. It is generally not a waste of money if you can afford it.
Here is the quick breakdown:

• Will they accept them? Yes. They will not repeat the tests unless the quality was poor or your symptoms have changed.
• Will it speed things up? Yes. You bypass the 6–10 month waiting list to find out what is wrong. If the tests find a condition, you jump straight into the NHS treatment queue with a confirmed diagnosis, which is much faster.
• The Cost: Expect to pay between £2,000 and £3,500 total for both tests privately. Next step: Ask your NHS GP for an "open referral letter" for private gastroenterology so you can book the s cans.

imo opinion yes. i’ve been waiting 4 months for an urgent orthopaedic appointment, my appointment is still 3 months away. i paid to see the same surgeon privately and he’s referred back to his NHS list and says will treat my next NHs appointment as my pre med and booked me in for surgery

That's useful.
I paid to see a consultant privately and he said that I would need those two tests. I'm not convinced that they will give me a diagnosis but he's an NHS consultant and said that would be the first thing they would do. He works at the same trust I was referred to but it's not likely to be him I would see. He was very clear that my seeing him would not speed up the NHS wait time.
If the tests don't find a condition I guess I am no further on but the NHS consultant will have that information to use.

@Thekormachameleon Many years ago I arranged for DS to be seen privately and the consultant booked him in for an NHS procedure without needing a preliminary appointment, so similar to you.

@Cely where did you get those figures from please? Was it AI generated because I think private healthcare is one of the few things that's cheaper in London. I live in Yorkshire.