I’ve had a skin complaint that has been bugging me for a bit. I’ve been back and forth to the GP, which has been painful. The initial diagnosis is either psoriasis or lichen planus. Both are autoimmune conditions that can start when you reach your sixties. The topical creams don’t work, so now I’ve been referred to a dermatologist. For this privilege, for which I have paid, I get put on a 30-week waiting list.
Fuck that, I’ve contacted a private provider. I know what the treatments are likely to be and the sooner we get started, the better. So, once again, I have had to abandon the NHS (piss be upon it) and look after myself. I want my money back, please…
I can remember waiting lists being an issue when the Thatcher government was trying to get a grip on things in about 1983. I can remember people talking about it at work. Back then I can remember the predominantly Labour types that I used to work with being disgusted that anyone could jump the queue by paying for their treatment. Since we’ve had over forty years to sort it out, throwing mountains of money at it, along with endless initiatives, and nothing has really changed.
Yours Truly suddenly developed an uncomfortable lump on an ear. ‘Aha!’ said the doc, ‘That is ether a BCC or an SCC.’ ‘Eh?’ said I. ‘The last initial stands for carcinoma’ said the doc, which even as a dimwit I could work out means cancer. ‘I don’t want that,’ said I. ‘What next?’
The ‘what next’ bit was that I could wait for a dermatologist, then wait for a consultant, then wait for a suitable slot to open up in an NHS hospital, or…….
It cost the equivalent of a good holiday, but was gone inside a month. Moral of the story, spend the money and get it sorted.
Exactly that. I was dating an NHS nurse (now retired) briefly a few years ago. She advised me to go private for my prostate op. Her logic being that you can’t take it with you, and you might as well get it sorted sooner rather than later. I took her advice. No regrets.
Totally agree with going private (if you can afford it).
My wife was diagnosed with a heart problem pre covid and we were left waiting for over 18 months over covid due to bureaucratic delays before we took the plunge. It cost a few hundred, but was worth it to find that while the problem was serious, it wasn’t urgent. Also once diagnosed she entered the system and was NHS-treated pretty soon. Apparently once you were diagnosed and in the system it worked ok.
A good friend had serious mobility problems with neck pain and was passed from pillar to post by the NHS. He knew of my wife’s story and asked me how much. He paid up and was urgently taken from the specialists to have an op, which apparently saved his life. He is still suffering, but more importantly alive.
I just pity the poor folks that can’t afford the alternative.
I recommended the same for my dad and his prostate.
Couldn’t get to see the NHS consultant, so paid for private instead and got seen within 2 weeks (by the same NHS consultant who wasn’t available!).
Then went onto NHS waiting list (12+ months) with a catheter in place which was really uncomfortable and restrictive. Back to private and £8k later it was all sorted out again in a few weeks.
Its a bloody disgrace.
Can’t been seen for months/years, but next week if you’ve got a few thousand quid to spare the leeches of the moment haven’t already filched from you in taxes.
Good fortune with the treatment.
This is just awful for you, and my heart goes out to you and your family!
Last autumn, my cancer diagnosis was put on an immediate ‘two week programme’, and within just two/three weeks, after a myriad of tests, I was bedded down in an NHS Hospital in Maidstone for three days, with the most fabulous care believable – even a single room, with hot and cold running nurses!
Chemo is regulated every month rather like a ‘club’ where we all meet up, sit in a recliner, nosh a sandwich then wait until the cannula’s done its business, and we’re off home within minutes after the business!
Because I don’t know where you live, I cannot comment on your local hospital service, but, by God, they’re just fabulous here in Kent!
Let us know how you’re getting on, anyway, we don’t want good people like you suffering needlessly.
Had my bilateral inguinal hernia done private via company provided medical insurance.
Fuck waiting out of some moral obligation or worship for the NHS.
Everyone should get the quick treatment on the NHS that is available private for the amount of money that is pissed away on it.
Problem is that its run for the convenience of the staff, not the “service users”/customers/taxpayers.
It’s definitely a postcode or other lottery.
I joined our local surgery in my 60’s and within 48 hours had received a telephone consultation for the condition I was asking about, followed by an in-person the next day, which also included a prostate check, followed up in fairly short order by tests.
I don’t see a doctor very often, but there are always one or two in the background, supporting their skiled staff. If I ask for a non-urgent appointment, I am always seen by a paramedic within two working days or less.