NHS in a Private Hospital

[milly143]

My boyfriend went back to his Doctor after problems with his ankles. She sent him for an x-ray at the local NHS hospital who confirmed that one ankle (maybe both) were fractured. They said he would need to see a specialist and he got referred to a private hospital. He was then sent to another private hospital yesterday for an MRI scan on his ankles. Is it common practise so send an NHS patient for private treatment?

[woofgang]

yes, the NHS round here does it if it can't meet waiting targets or hasn't got the expertise needed

[woofgang]

sorry, should have said expertise or equipment needed

[Sqad]

Odd...seen on NHS and then sent to Private Hospital to see a Consultant.

Are you sure?

[milly143]

Yep, he went to see his normal doctor who sent him to Stok Mandeville for the x-ray. They then sent him to the Paddocks and then The Chilterns which are both private.

[Sqad]

Blimey.....what has happened to our NHS?

[jackthehat]

S'what happened to me.
I had been seen over the course of several years by a consultant at BVH.
My operation was performed by different consultant under NHS at Private Hospital.

[woofgang]

If its something that they can't fund full time eg the MRI scans/theatres are all booked up and they have a demand blip then it can make financial sense to buy resource privately

[China Doll]

They've been outsourcing imaging for months here since our imaging department is such a shambles.

[gina32]

my father had an operation in a private hospital although he was nhs, about 16 years ago, if not longer, so its not a new thing

[fabsec54]

I work in a GP surgery. What you are describing sounds like the Choose and Book system. Round here one of the private hospitals sees NHS patients via C&B, but only certain specialities and conditions. They are seen for consultation and operation at the private hospital if deemed necessary.