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Further tests private v nhs?

TraceyB7
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Hi my partner has been informed he has cancer, I have called the treatment nurse at our hospital to find out the dates for further screening and although the system isn't showing a date it will be within the 2 week target. Should I try and book an urgent appointment with BUPA ( we don't have insurance) or should we wait until the hospital gives us the dates? Has anyone split private and nhs treatments and consultant appointments? Thank you x

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    Hi Tracey,

    This is a tricky one - I've posted a link below to the official advice on mixing private and NHS tests and treatments. I always find that waiting for tests and results is about the most stressful part of having cancer.

    On the one hand, you would probably get the scans and other tests you need done quicker if you go private but on the other hand you'll be paying roughly £600 for a CT scan with no guarantee that you'll get treatment any quicker - unless you go private for that too.

    Without private health insurance to cover the costs, I'd be inclined to save my money, unless the local NHS is proving to be unreasonably slow and might miss the 2 week target.

    I hope this helps.
    Dave
    www.nhs.uk/.../2572.aspx
    www.privatehealth.co.uk/.../

  • Offline in reply to davek

    I have private health cover and I had had a scan under that which found the shadow in my kidney.  I went back to my GP and had an appointment for the NHS to follow up.  I also got one from my private health package for the day before the NHS one.  Hedging my bets, I went to both.  The NHS one didn't have the scan results and told me I would have to have a scan under then NHS.  I had my kidney removed a week after my private appointment on the day of the appointment for the scan on the NHS (which I canceled of course).  So there was a small difference in the timing, but I am not sure how critical that was. 

    I would be a little anxious about any scan getting through from private to NHS if you were going for the treatment there.  As in my case, it might just not get through.

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