Harley Street

[jinkster]

Is Harley Street all what is was cracked up to be or has it all changed?

[steveT350C]

It's still there. I know it well. Are you referring to having an operation or an outpatient consultation done there?

[jinkster]

I have just moved to private medical insurance and understood from friends that quite a few of the practices were using the brand name and not very good.

[steveT350C]

OK, a few things to bare in mind...

The surgeons / consultants working privately must still be registered with the GMC.

Any surgeon on Harley Street will be available to do the same procedure on the NHS, and more. Only the more routine procedures will be done at the Clinics with operating theatres on Harley Street

What you are paying for is the 'hotel costs': posh reception, nice rooms, staff and food, and of course reduced waiting time.

The equipment used in the OR or outpatients is generally the same as in the NHS, as is the surgeon's skills.

A surgeon that is a good at business and marketing may not be the best at surgery.

Surgeons within their speciality will still have specialist sub areas of expertise. For example, ENT surgeons, some will be excellent at 'nose jobs', synonymous with Harley Street, but don't do much, if any, ear work.

[Marcellus]

Also bear in mind a lot of the top surgeons don't need Harley Street as much as the Clinic needs the surgeon.

So research the best surgeon for what you want/need done and then go to them whereecer they are.

[The_Doc]

Marcellus said:

Also bear in mind a lot of the top surgeons don't need Harley Street as much as the Clinic needs the surgeon.

So research the best surgeon for what you want/need done and then go to them whereecer they are.

This.

The best guys in my field don't bother with the mega-rents just to say you are "on Harley Street"

[jinkster]

Thanks all for the replies. :-)

[SiH]

I think it's already been said but Harley Street is an address, not a qualification.
That having been said, don't discount someone because they are on Harley Street, there are still a lot of good clinicians who work there.

[ChasW]

Harley Street is effectively a Regus office for consultants to see their private patients.