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PRIVATE OR NHS

Posted , 10 users are following.

paula96157
paula96157

Hi all,

In view of the long wait for hip replacement with the NHS (50 weeks north wales) should I consider paying for private medical care and get it over with???

 

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • Imitating
    Imitating paula96157

    Posted

    50 weeks!?!? o.O I just can't fathom that! I'm so sorry. I suppose the answer mainly resides in how long you waited before discovering you needed one. When my pain levels started affecting my mood and I was agitated all the time, I realized I couldn't wait any longer. It was one thing to be in so much pain all the time, it was another when my poor, sweet husband was having to face the brunt of my reaction to my pain on a weekly (if not daily) basis.
    • paula96157
      paula96157 Imitating

      Posted

      Hi Yes I'm about 20 weeks in and the pain is getting me down - hense the thought - private op. Did you go private?
    • Imitating
      Imitating paula96157

      Posted

      I did. But I am in the USA, most of us pay for private insurance already. Now I did go about 6 months before finally going into my doctors and really start pushing to figure out what was wrong. It took another another 2 months to get some really answers and possible solutions. I did request at that point that my doctor take me out on medical leave due to pain (the doctor did lead me to believe we would schedule the surgery in like a month though). After a month of calling into their appointment line ever week, I started calling everyday because work was a little frustrated that I was out on medical leave without a set date for surgery. Luckily being a nuance worked for me and I got a surgery date for about a month out from that (later discovered during my hip class that I probably got bumped in front of quite a few others that were dragging their feet to book their surgeries)
    • Imitating
      Imitating paula96157

      Posted

      Sorry, also wanted to say that I feel you. I know how depressing the pain can be. I feel like having a date really helped me. It gave a goal to keep focused on. It also gave me the goal of trying to do all the exercises I could in preparation for it. The stronger those little muscles are surrounding that joint before surgery, the better your recovery. Whatever you decide, don't let yourself get too down, hang in there!

      I also found that joining a community with a hobby helped keep my mind off of things. I took up photography and downloaded an app (OKDOTHIS) to give me little daily challenges to keep my mind off the pain.

  • RossshireBuffUK
    RossshireBuffUK paula96157

    Posted

    Hi Paula,

    I had to wait about 8 months; & then got put back once; & then pumped on the day (sent home 20 minutes before op due to sudden influx of emergancy cases).

    So... it wasn't nice, but a.) I couldn't possibly afford going private; & b.) I wouldn't consider going private on ethical grounds: that's what the government hopes we'll do ~ so they can sell off the NHS.  However...

    I of course don't know what  pain you're in, & therefore don't think I have the right to tell you what to do.  I do  know that you've already paid for the op through your contributions to the NHS; only you can decide if you need to go private.

    Sorry this isn't much help. All the best with whatever you decide.

  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK paula96157

    Posted

    Hi

    That is a long long time....I thought there was still a set time that you had to wait {max 3months...or is it ???}

    Unless that is just England and doesnt apply to Wales

    I'm sorry......only you can decide how bad you are and how much difference it will make to the time difference

    Good Luck

    Eileen   UK

  • carol63610
    carol63610 paula96157

    Posted

    I know how feel I was told 18 weeks which it is now just over so rung Hospital and told should of been January but now February but then it's all been on the news 

    that ops are being Cancled and stopped so I don't know so I have been thinking of. Going private because of pain and walking getting worst all the time

  • wendy233
    wendy233 paula96157

    Posted

    I wouldn't go privately ... There is a national waiting time of 18 weeks in sure .. When I went for mine they said it would be longer than 18 weeks unless I accepted to go somewhere else.. I chose to go to private hospital and the nhs paid for it...want ideal co had to travel a bit but I got it done... That is redic to wait that long.. Going private will

    Cost yA .. Then there is the fear of what will they use will you get the cheaper one because u can afford it or will u get the ceramic one that will last longer ..

    • carol63610
      carol63610 wendy233

      Posted

      How do you chose a different hospital please I am over 18 weeks on list at addenbrokes 
  • victoria19887
    victoria19887 paula96157

    Posted

    Looked into the cost before I had mine done not that could of afforded it and it was £12.000 just saying 😁
    • victoria19887
      victoria19887

      Posted

      I also did what Wendy did had mine done at a private hospital payed for by the nhs, everything was fine I did have the choice of 4 hospitals and I've never looked back, recovery 14 weeks down the line though is tough if you've got to return to work.
  • denise18714
    denise18714 paula96157

    Posted

    Hi

    After being told my hip pain wasn't real and was infact my back (injured after a car accident)for 8 years i just suffered the pain,not being able to weighbear,hip locking etc. To be honest i thought i was going mad!

    In 2013 saw a gp i again asked about my hip after being examined he suggest a xray. Four weeks later i was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in both hips...gp told me to come back in 20years for two hip replacement!

    So i went to see private physio who said i need to see orthopaedic consultant urgently. By this point i was so desperate i went bk to see another gp and pleaded for a referral. GP did a referral via nhs choose and book system,it worked out that to see consultant at bmi saxon clinic was quicker that seeing him at mkgh. Its 18 weeks to be seen on nhs by a consultant.

    so i saw consultant within 3 weeks and went on waiting list and had operation 15weeks later at bmi Saxon clinic.

    now waiting for 2nd operation in February

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee denise18714

      Posted

      At one point they told you to come back in 20 years?!?! I think I would have screamed! It is a good thing you were persistent and did not give up. It upsets me when we have to advocate for ourselves when the system gives us so many hurdles to overcome!

      I commend you on you tenacity!

      Dawn

  • Paulus1949
    Paulus1949 paula96157

    Posted

    Personally I wouldn't go private,unless you are really desperate.

    Theres no guarantee your treatment will be any better than NHS,and it will cost at least  £10-12k.

    The obvious advantage is you could probably have it done within a few weeks.

    You may not know but you can ask your GP to refer you to a hospital in England where the waiting time is shorter,usually 12-18wks.

    Hope you get in soon.

     

    • victoria19887
      victoria19887 Paulus1949

      Posted

      They told me 18 weeks Paula and I saw the consultant after a week then my operation was 7 weeks later , I think it depends on where you live. I couldn't fault the way I was looked after from start to finish, good luck hope everything goes well for you x
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