Hi Smidge ..... I would say - yes, yes and yes.  I have had private health insurance for 10yrs and can recommend a top oncologist for you to google.  If you would like to put a friend request to me on private messaging, I will send you a message in the next couple of days. x

Hi Max, I'll friend request you. Also just wanted to say I've just been reading your posts and was wondering how you are doing with your treatment. Sounds a little stalkerish but we had some conversations on here back when I was fist diagnosed, you are such an inspiration and lovely lady and I often wonder how you are xxx

Have PMd you Smidge xxxxxx

Hi I was just wondering if your new Private Medical insurance will cover a pre existing illness. 

Hi positivemiss, I've been advised by my insurance company that they will cover me for 5 years from diagnosis, and a procedure of lipofilling I was waiting to have on the NHS - Smidge x

Hi Smidge,

Hope you're still reading this thread.

My wife had 3 years fighting metastatic peritoneal cancer  in private and NHS so I thought you might be interested to hear what we discovered with the two.

Now note there is a difference between healthcare providers - bear in mind your company can decide to change health care provider and that can affect your treatment.

We didn't get a lot more flexibility in appointments with the Onc (Who was great by the way) he did private appointments Tuesday evenings but that suited us a lot better and was happy to spend time with us discussing the options and letting us decide on the basis of that information.

We did get access to drugs like Avastin which we wouldn't have got on the NHS but I think in hindsight it did more harm than good - but at least we got the choice.

We selected our Oncologist mostly because of his chemotherapy expertise especially with agents not available on the NHS - I would have to say that throughout her 3 years Melanie had very few cancer symptoms until the last 3 weeks and very little chemo side effects and I put a lot of that down to his expertise

With the private healthcare you get more comfortable surroundings individual cubicle for chemo, private rooms etc. but the private hospitals are sueezing every penney, the nurses are overworked and underpaid and frankly I think on one occasion they discharged Melanie from a hospital room too soon. You can also lose touch with people like McMillan and some of the other services like occupational health - we found that you didn't get such a rounded treatment - the NHS seems much better at referring you to other departments for support and supplimentary services.

All in all I'd say yes do transfer but read the small print in what you're covered for, try to stay in touch with McMillan, make use of the extra time to build a relationship with your consultant  and have realistic expectations of what the private sector is like - some people we met seemed to think that having private cover entitled them to be treated like royalty!

Best of luck with whatever you choose  .  

I've inadvertantly been a bit naughty and named a couple of private insurers we had experience of - one very good one less so. The Moderators reminded me its not site policy to name names in that regard (sorry guys) and edited the offending references. PM me if you want details

Best of luck

Graham

Hi GrahamM

Thank you so much for your advice, which is very much appreciated. This forum is such a brilliant resource isn't it, and a comfort at difficult times. 

It's interesting to hear your view of private versus NHS. My employer uses the insurance company you experienced problems with by the way! They were very helpful when I rung them - so far so good! I will take your comments on board for sure.

I'm so sorry for your loss Graham and hope you manage somehow to enjoy Christmas time with your family.

Take care
Smidge x