Recommendations - gynaecology central Scotland?

[Questchun]

I am stuck in the Scottish NHS system with really scary and worsening symptoms and an initial test (which involved a very long wait) giving me 50/50 for having a gynaecological cancer. I now seem to be stuck in an indefinite limbo, with no-one able to tell me for definite what is wrong or whether they intend to do anything about it. Waiting times are apparently extremely long for every test and post-test communication. I imagine that loads of women are simply dying this way. I can only describe the dealings I've had with the NHS so far on this as inefficient and laid back, though the GP has been ok. So although I can't afford it, I'm having to consider having some testing done privately. But the GP has said that private treatment in Scotland is not good and that if you go private to find out what's wrong with you it's then difficult to get back into the NHS for treatment. So you're basically fucked either way. Does anyone know anything about this / can anyone recommend a good private healthcare place which might at least do some efficient cancer testing so that I can know how bad it is? I could get to either Glasgow or Edinburgh for tests.

Oh that sounds really hard. I have no first hand experience but perhaps start by contacting both Bupa and Nuffield.

I'm sorry you're going through this OP, that sounds very worrying. The NHS has such long backlogs to clear from all the stuff cancelled due to COVID.

I'm afraid I can't help with recommendations but the private hospitals in Edinburgh and Glasgow do get a good name.

It sounds like you really want to know exactly what is wrong so it's perfectly possible to go private for investigations only. You would need a GP referral and I would make clear to GP it's to get a confirmed diagnosis quickly. I would suggest you get copies from GP of all tests already done so you don't pay to repeat these. I'd also make sure you get copies of everything done privately too.

If it is cancer then GP can refer you back to NHS on cancer pathway which is much quicker than routine referrals.

If it's not cancer then it may at least put your mind at ease whilst you wait for nhs treatment.

Thank you for this.

if you go private to find out what's wrong with you it's then difficult to get back into the NHS for treatment.

sorry I also meant to say the GP probably meant it's difficult to jump the NHS queue this way.
If a private consultant diagnoses X and recommends Y operation you cannot be put directly on the waiting list for this operation on NHS. You will still need seen in NHS clinic and the treatment plan agreed, although they won't repeat all the investigations if you can give them copies of results.

But as I mentioned before if it is unfortunately cancer you would be seen in clinic as an urgent case.

Questcun my heart goes out to you - the NHS is broken. I'm on a waiting list for a gynae appt (hopefully minor) 10 weeks into a supposedly 26 week wait (according to my surgery) and they have the audacity to send me a letter today to say I have to telephone within 2 weeks to say if I still WANT the appointment because they are "managing their waiting lists"...No I thought I'd just sit on your waiting list for fun. Was considering going to Ross Hall but going to hold out for a bit longer.