Bupa/Private Health Care - Speed/Cost?

[Monsterlime]

So, I found out this evening that the ulcer my elderly father has in his leg is actually a lot more serious than I was initially told, and from what his local GP/nurse has indicated, loss of the limb is a distinct possibility.

He has been referred to a local hospital for a test to determine whether or not it is arterial or venous. However, being the NHS, they are a bit slow.

Now that I am aware of the situation, my intention is to call Bupa tomorrow and get the ball rolling on getting this sorted privately.

Since he has already been referred to a hospital for tests, I assume I can skip a couple of steps on the Bupa chain (GP, Consultant - go straight for the diagnosis)? I have never had, or used private healthcare before, and won't be done under medical insurance so will be fully privately funded.

How quickly are they likely to be able to deal with this? And, if anyone has had any experience of similar before, what kind of cost am I looking at? Just so I know, and can start raising the funds now, if it becomes necessary to go the whole route (at the moment, just want the diagnosis sorted so we know where we stand) privately.

If not Bupa, who would be the better choice? Am in Essex, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!


Edit - Typing while distracted leads to typo's!

Edited by Monsterlime on Tuesday 12th August 08:28

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I have had an albeit different and probably less urgent medical situation over the last 7 or 8 years from what you describe - but here's my experience with paying for private attention.

I dislocated and tore the ligaments in my right knee in the early 90's when I was in my early 20's.

This damage only surfaced as a problem in 2007, after I had spent the preceeding 10 years getting into running - and after much training, a marathon and several 10k road races, my knee suddenly swelled up and hurt like hell out of the blue.

It was so bad that I was almost immediately incapacitated, and lost most of my normal mobility.

I was told that an NHS scan and investigation would take 4 to 6 weeks to arrange. As I was bascially fked for even walking, I arranged a private consultation with a BUPA knee specialist. This chap is acknowledged as being the 'go to' local knee surgeon. I was told that if I paid, I could see him within the week, and have an MRI scan shortly after that.

So I paid up around £600 quid - but for that, I was able to see him for a consultation around 2 days later, and have my MRI scan (albeit at the same local NHS facility) around 3 or 4 days after, instead of many weeks...

It was a bit of a cost, but to me, was well worth it to 'jump the queue' so to speak.

After the scan, as I could not afford to then go on to pay for the operation privately as well, I opted for an operation via the normal NHS channels.

However, my initial investment also seemed to buy me another 'queue jump' for the NHS operation as well. I received a date for an arthroscopy VERY quickly - way more quickly than one would expect had I just gone down the normal full NHS route...


Annoying that 'money talks' in healthcare - but there you are, it does, and that's the way it is. My experience is that a bit of money bought me a very favourable 'fast track' of attention, for what it's worth.

Hope this helps.

[Monsterlime]

Thanks! That is quite useful, and reassuring. Not entirely sure I can afford the treatment (although if needs must etc), but is definitely good to know just getting the diagnosis can help.