Private healthcare?

[Usertenthousand]

Does anyone know of any decent private healthcare option - ideally in the central belt, but could travel further? I was hoping to get a simple investigatory ultrasound scan done quickly by paying to go private (just for the scan). Spoke to one hospital, and they said would need to get referral from GP (likely to take some time), then wait several weeks to see a consultant at the private hospital, then an unspecified further wait for the scan. No definite price. This is for something which could worst case scenario be cancer. So it seems that there's not actual way of getting a scan done quickly.

I don't think you can just for the same. You need to pay for their doctor to check you then the scan.

*scan

Also, if it's suspect f cancer, you should be seen quickly. I was a couple of weeks.

Best to speak to your GP, they will be able
to make the appropriate referral. However, if the GP suspects cancer they should put you on the urgent pathway within the NHS or make a private referral immediately.
Although, I appreciate that you may have difficulty getting a GP appointment in the first place.

I know that waits are very long where I am. That's why I'm looking into going private just for a scan. But if private hospitals have waits like this...

BMI doesn't need a referral from a GP, the Nuffield does though.

My GP referred me for an ultrasound scan at Ross Hall in Glasgow. I was offered an appointment within the week. I didn't need to see a consultant at Ross Hall which meant it happened a lot quicker. Cost £500. I had to wait a few weeks for the results to be reported (can't remember exact details though).

That's helpful both of you - I'll have a look, thank you. I know that the symptoms call for an ultrasound scan, and it's non-invasive, so both the GP referral and the (expensive and weeks of waiting) private consultant feel completely unnecessary and counter-productive (in terms of time).

It is really odd we've gone private for something and saw consultant and scan booked in as fast as we wanted - sure you've had good advice?

That said, we've had a couple of urgent suspected cancer things in the last year and both times been seen quickly by nhs and thankfully got the all clear.

I don't know about scans but I know a couple of people who've had private consultant appointments and surgery over last few months as they have insurance. They both had to wait several weeks. They were told the private hospitals are busier than usual, due to huge NHS backlogs more people are going private at moment.

The new BMI Rosshall clinic at Braehead has been set up to do outpatient scan etc. Open late night and bookable online.

You won’t need a GP referral, but you may need to see their consultant for results so might be added cost there.