Inside out- WATCH now- about the safety of operation in Private sector

I'm shocked but sadly I'm pretty sure that's nothing new - when DSIL worked in a private hospital in a large city, 30 years ago, there wasn't a resuscitation trolley in the whole building, nurses had to call 999!

It is not on in my area - we have a programme on the shortage of GPs.

I had my hip op done in a Nuffield hospital as there are some duff surgeons round here and it was the only way I could ensure the best surgeon did it. But I did have concerns about the medical back-up. If I had to have further surgery I would not opt to go there - the surgery caused a heart arrhythmia and I would rather be in the general hospital where there is a coronary care unit and specialists on tap.

I am surprised that there are not regulations about staffing and equipment levels.

I did not like the room that I had - I felt very isolated and would rather have been where I could see other people - and they could see me. I spent the whole of one wakeful night with severe heartburn and it was misery. Pressing the buzzer eventually brought a nurse who gave me some gaviscon (which did not work) so I just lay there feeling ill - in a bigger ward someone might have noticed my distress.

I did not get to enjoy the food - I felt far too sick! But the menus looked great!

OH always said that the isolation of a private room is very dangerous. You could pass out or have a heart attack and nobody would know.
He also always said he would never want anyone in his family to have an op in a private hospital, as there is no back-up, staff or equipment wise, and no professional expertise on tapl

He knew many young doctors who 'moonlighted' at private hospitals on top of their already very long working hours- putting their health and that of patients at risk too.

I had my hip and knee replaced in a private hospital. As I am reasonably fit I was quite happy to accept the risk of complications. I prefer a private room with my own TV, internet etc. I found the greater staffing ration meant much more personal care that an NHS hospital could manage. I have had quite a number of operations in NHS hospitals, could not fault the care I received, but would op for private if offered.

I recently needed an audiology appointment, which our MHS trust had put out to private practice, only had to wait 2 weeks and was treated in our village hall.

I have now had 5 operations/procedures done in private practice under the NHS, all quickly and conveniently.

I did not find the staffing levels better - it really did seem there were insufficient staff in the private hospital - all you heard all day and all night were unanswered buzzers going off. And pressing the buzzer resulted in a long wait before anyone came in. On one occasion my buzzer was ringing and ringing (you press it once and it keeps going till someone answers and switches it off). After a long wait a scrub nurse from the theatre who was passing came in and helped me to the toilet!

Some private hospitals have 24 hour anaesthetic cover but obviously not all. Much depends on the type of surgery carried out.

I had my knee replaced in a hospital that was out in the sticks but had anaesthetic cover 24/7 if required. I had been offered a room in a private hospital but I received excellent care in my NHS ward which was exceptionally well staffed. I did not get much sleep because buzzers were going all night long but the care was excellent and I did not feel abandoned.

I had my ankle done privately! £7550. No insurance so paid! It's a complete disaster!

I worked for a while in the kitchen of a private hospital and the staff were always saying how lucky it was that there was a big NHS hospital right next door to cope with emergencies.

Galen did you have your ankle replaced or was it fused?

Well - my hip op has not exactly gone brilliantly! And the aftercare is not great.

I had private treatment a couple of years ago and it enabled the gynaecologist and urologist to carry out procedures during same surgery. It saved me from having to have two general anaesthetics, never good for someone with asthma. I wouldn't have been able to get that sort of joined up thinking in an NHS hospital. It also ensured that it was the consultants who carried out the procedures. I also like my privacy and own bathroom.

Katek. your choice of course. But don't be surprised that some of us would prefer to put our lives before our private bathroom.- especially those with close insight of the medical world.. Perhaps the NHS consultants would have also seen the point of doing both procedures together- this is certainly not unknown. Very glad to hear it all went well.

Charleygirl I had a partial fusion. My hip mam (who had recommended this ankle man as being the best) said he should have don a full triple fusion.

A triple fusion is more normal than a partial fusion. A lot depends on who did the surgery of course.

I was offered a triple fusion on my broken foot and turned it down as the success rates seemed too low for my comfort - it was a case of better the devil you know......! And I just could not face more months of non-weight-bearing. So I just limp!

I went for the hip surgery - hmm.

Granjura I do get your point about private rooms and risk of collapse or such. It can also be very isolating.

I had a single room when I had DS by C section as there was a ward for us patients, but it was very isolating. No one else to joke, or moan about our aches and pains with.

It was much better when I was on a ward with other patients.

One of the paramedics who came to me told of an occasion when he was called to the local private hospital because the doctors didn't know how to treat a man who was having a heart attack.

I was sent there for an MRI once, the reception was very plush and luxurious, but the MRI was in a lorry trailer in the car park at the back.

Much prefer a private room and so would any other occupants of a large ward with me!
I snore like mad!

So agree Nellie- the camaraderie of a small maternity ward is priceless.

Very different of course- but when I spent 6 months, (4.5 on my back in traction totally dependent (not even to go to the WC- oh horror of horrors)- I would have gone totally bonkers in a private ward without the companionship of others - a small ward of 4 to 6 is large enough though, I agree.

But comfort is one thing- safety is another.

Not surprised Granjura, each to their own. I have a particular dread of hospitals/surgical procedures due to some very traumatic long stays when I was a child. Having my privacy was the best way for me to have these necessary procedures carried out-I don't particularly want to be unwell with other people around me. Being in an NHS hospital is no guarantee of safety either, my SiL had spinal surgery and was sitting in a chair beside the bed. He collapsed with a pulmonary embolism and even with instant emergency attention nothing could be done.
Possibly the compromise is what we have in our local main hospital - a private ward within the same building.

I agree Galan. All that snoring, burping, farting, better to keep it in a room of my own.

farting? Not me!
I'm a ladyee, I am!

I was talking about me, I know that ladies do not do that sort of thing.

Thank goodness you understand that fundamental point pompa