| Some NHS Trusts have been coming to | | | | worrying business, although the current NHS '18 |
| short-term arrangements with private hospitals in | | | | weeks policy' has sought to address this. |
| order to help clear their backlog of operations. | | | | Most consultants work in both fields, based in |
| Appointments for planned, elective procedures | | | | private practice at a local private hospital whilst |
| can occasionally be hampered by unforeseen | | | | also employed by an NHS Trust hospital. For |
| circumstances beyond the Trust's control, such as | | | | those patients wishing to see a hospital specialist |
| severely adverse weather conditions. | | | | privately, their GP is able to make a referral. |
| Heavy snow and ice, for instance, can increase | | | | Some people opt for private healthcare in order |
| acute attendances at Accident & Emergency | | | | to ensure they are seen by a particular consultant |
| Departments, whilst also preventing elective | | | | of their choice, who might be one they have seen |
| patients - plus the staff to treat them - from | | | | in the past or had recommended to them. |
| reaching the hospital. Such circumstances as these | | | | Booking to see a specialist via the private |
| inevitably have a knock-on effect on the NHS | | | | healthcare route generally takes two or three |
| waiting list. | | | | weeks. The consultant's secretary liaises direct |
| With the myriad of pressures on the NHS to | | | | with the hospital about patient admissions. |
| deliver timely services, an increasing number of | | | | Although private hospitals are not allowed to |
| patients are looking into private healthcare | | | | recommend individual consultants, it is possible for |
| provision. For some people, this unfamiliar option | | | | patients to contact their local hospital and enquire |
| of 'going private' might appear daunting. However, | | | | where a particular specialist bases his private |
| following a few basic steps can result in the | | | | practice. |
| patient being free to enjoy the best of both | | | | It is by no means always necessary to access |
| worlds. | | | | private healthcare via the GP. Some services, |
| In most cases, the GP is the first port of call. | | | | such as health screening and physiotherapy for |
| They can give professional advice and help the | | | | instance, can be arranged by contacting the |
| patient make an informed decision on the best | | | | private hospital direct. |
| way to meet their specific needs. | | | | For an increasing number of people, the answer is |
| Should tests or investigations be needed, for | | | | to take out a private healthcare plan, or expat |
| example, most private hospitals can carry these | | | | health insurance as it is known if you live |
| out more promptly than the standard NHS route | | | | overseas. Such cover will offer you the choice of |
| and at a time that is convenient to the individual. | | | | using the established NHS/State route or |
| As most of us will know, waiting to see a hospital | | | | accessing services direct. |
| consultant or 'specialist' can be a frustrating and | | | | |