private surgeon

[chattykathy]

My poor 83 yr old mother in law is in absolute agony with her arthritic knee. She had a cortisone injection over a week ago which hasn't worked and she has to wait 5 more weeks to see a consultant at the local hospital. Is there anyway she could see a (or the same) consultant privately but have the treatment on the NHS? She could probably afford one appointment but hasn't the money for a private operation.As a family we don't go in for private medicine but she is in so much pain.

[bednobs]

yes, but if she needs an op, she will still face the same waiting list as everyone else on the NHS if she cant afford to have it done privately.
Why dosen't she see her (free) GP for pain relief? If the pain will only be relieved by an operation, then going for 1 private apt wont speed anything up

[chattykathy]

Thanks for your reply, it's as I thought. She's on paracetamol and ibruprofen. She can't have co-codamol because she's in the early stages of dementia and the GP says it's no good for her brain. We make sure she puts on cold compresses and takes the paracetamol etc but they don't really touch the pain. We're back to the GP tomorrow but don't hold out much hope.

[Jemisa]

Phone the hospital and ask to speak to the consultants secretary, explain the situation, she may be able to arrange for the consultant to see your m i l earlier.
Have they mentioned about an op? It maybe your m i l is not able to have an op.
Anyway ask, you've nothing to lose.

Good Luck. - jem

[craft1948]

Accupuncture?

[bednobs]

well i could be wrong i suppose as i have never done it myself (gone private) so you might get different answers. However, if having a private appt meant you got bumped up the NHS list, it would be a very worrying situation.
Perhaps if you are going to the gp with her, you can insist on better painkillers?

[chattykathy]

Jemisa- I'll give that a go!

I hadn't thought of acupuncture, craft, i'll mention it to the GP tomorrow.

Thanks to all x

[RATTER15]

>>>>She can't have co-codamol because she's in the early stages of dementia and the GP says it's no good for her brain<<<<<<

Never heard of that, I work in a severe Dementia unit, we have a few clients taking Co-Codamol daily.

[Carakeel]

When I was in the same predicament, I paid to see the ortho surgeon privately, then went on the NHS waiting list for the OP. So yes, this can shorten her waiting time by a few months even. Seeing the surgeon privately can cost anything from £90- 150. Hope she gets seen soon. Best wishes to her.

[chattykathy]

I agree, bednobs but she was in such a state tonight. I will ask the GP for better painkillers but don't hold much hope being as she can't take co-codamol.

[chattykathy]

Ratter, that's really interesting. I was there when the geriatric guy said she shouldn't have them as they "will fry her brains!" Perhaps we need a second opinion on that!!

[welshlibranr]

Co codamol doesn't suit everyone sadly, I cannot tolerate it, many folk can't!..

[Sqad]

bednobs is correct...........depends on the surgeon........you may well have a private consultation, but the operation will be done at the time dictated by the NHS waiting list.
BUT..........who get's priority depends upon the surgeon.......and he could make a case for expediting your admission.

Worth a try and all you have to lose is about £200.

[woofgang]

To be clear, the same case for moving your Mum up the list could be made at her NHS consultant appointment. What the private consultant appointment could do is shorten drastically the waiting time for the initial consultant appointment. I would certainly be agitating for better pain relief. She will need it after the op as pain relief post op can be an essential part of good mobility outcome, especially if your Mum's dementia might mean that she doesn't understand the importance of moving the knee even though it may hurt a bit.

[Dee Sa]

this is my personal experience, it might not have worked for others but it has for us.
Book a private appt with the surgeon but he might need an introductory letter from your GP and the GP will charge but at least you get the choice of who you want to see.
When you go make it quite clear you only did this because of the pain you have and couldnt wait 5 weeks but you do not have the means to go private for the op, be honest and up front, usually this means you will be placed a little further up the NHS list also when the surgeon sees you with the NHS appt which you still keep, he will remember you and thats when they bring your op forward.
It might be classed as"cheating" but it happens every day and if you are in pain then do it.Hope this helps.