Private consultation have I done the right thing?

[babalon]

I've finally had enough of waiting around for the NHS to help me with my back pain and have booked and consultation with a NHS doctor who I know through work (as a theatre nurse) at his priviate clinic.

This is going to cost me £180 I've already had MRI scans done through NHS so won't have to pay again hopefully. Is this going to run away with me? I stated in original e-mail that I would not be able to afford to pay for treatment just the inital consultation. Does anyone have any experience of this type of thing?

Help I'm worried I'll be bankrupt!

I had a client like this some years ago, the initial privat consultation threw up some interesting problems and she was referred back to her NHS specialist straight away and was treated that way and it was quite quick when going back to the NHS as there was a diagnosis to hand. if your private doc has access to the scans that is great but may be worth calling him before to make sure he is able to view tham as otherwise he may need to order more for himself. if he can't/hasn't seen tham, may well be worth asking the hospital to release the scans, FoI act etc etc etc!!

Message withdrawn

Make sure that you peak to and explain the situation to the "private" secretary. They will usually arrange for your NHS records to be copied.

I had a private consultation when I got carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists after DS was born - I was in so much agony that I couldn't sleep and couldn't do some day to day things. Cost about £120. After the consultation though I agreed to go back to the NHS for treatment (took about four months to get an appointment for an op on the worst wrist and about another 6 mths to get the other one done). Went against all my principles to go private but when you are in loads of pain and absolutley shattered with lack of sleep (and thats before you factor in a 3 month old baby) I was prepared to do anything. Seeing the consultant privately only cut perhaps six weeks wait out but for the first time she was able to give me a proper diagnosis and gave me some helpful advice how to reduce the pain while I was waiting for an op (my GP was useless and her advice made things bearable). Hated doing it but for me it was money well spent.

Thanks for replies. Secretary e-mailed and asked if I'd had scans so she could copy them to disc. Glad something is happening finally still feel resentful about having to pay. I'll let you know how it goes