Private Healthcare : Put an End to Unacceptable Operation Waiting Lists

Some state hospitals have been coming to short-term agreements with private hospitals in order to help reduce their unacceptably long waiting lists. This is because waiting lists for operations have become so long that it is a risk to give patients waiting any longer. Unfortunately, many patients have no alternative but to wait as long as they have to, even though the operation they need is an essential one that would lead to the quality of their life being greatly improved.

State hospitals do what they can to keep waiting times for operations at a minimum, but there are factors increasing them that out of their control. Bad weather conditions, for example, can increase acute attendances at Accident & Emergency Departments, whilst also preventing elective patients, plus the staff to treat them, from reaching the hospital. Such circumstances as these inevitably have a knock-on effect on waiting lists.

With the myriad of pressures on hospitals to deliver timely services, an increasing number of patients now look towards the alternative option of private healthcare. For some people, this unfamiliar option of 'going private' might appear daunting. However, following a few basic steps can result in the patient being free to enjoy the best of both worlds.

In most cases, a local doctor is the first port of call. They can give professional advice and help the patient decide on the best course of action for their specific needs. Should tests or investigations be needed, for example, a private hospital should be given serious consideration, as it is always important to get an early diagnosis. You can, however, still have the operation at a state hospital afterwards.

Most consultants work in both fields, based in private practice at a local private hospital, whilst also being employed by a state hospital. For those patients wishing to see a hospital specialist privately, their local doctor is able to make a referral. Some people opt for private healthcare so as to ensure that they are seen by a particular consultant, who may be one they have seen in the past or had recommended to them.

Seeing a specialist privately generally takes two or three weeks. The consultant's personal assistant liaises directly with the hospital regarding the admission of patients. Although private hospitals are not permitted to advocate individual consultants, it is permissible for patients to contact their local public hospital and enquire where a certain specialist bases his private practice. You may also be able to find out this information online, by simply searching for the name of the consultant.

It is by no means always necessary to access private healthcare via a local doctor. Some services, such as health screening and physiotherapy for instance, can be arranged by contacting the private hospital direct. For an increasing amount of people, the solution is to take out a private healthcare plan, or expat health insurance as it is referred to if you live abroad. Such cover gives you the option of using the established public hospital route or accessing private healthcare directly.