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Finding a Private doctor?

(18 Posts)
DanniRae Wed 23-Mar-22 12:09:28

How do I help a friend find a Private doctor that can be trusted?

GillT57 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:10:27

why wouldn't your friend trust a non private doctor?

vegansrock Wed 23-Mar-22 12:29:54

Do you want a private GP or specialist.?

Leilla Wed 23-Mar-22 12:36:00

For a GP just look up your local private clinic/Nuffield and they have them listed.

M0nica Wed 23-Mar-22 12:50:50

Can you trust a private doctor more than a GP? I suppose it all depends on the circumstances behind your friend's request.

Speciialist or GP, just contact a local private hospital - or ask your GP for a referral. We have found our GPs always willing to do this.

Casdon Wed 23-Mar-22 12:55:21

All doctors should be trustworthy, but if she has a specific problem she should ask her GP for recommendations, they will know who are the best specialists in her area.

DanniRae Wed 23-Mar-22 12:59:05

Thank you for your help. I will suggest that they contact their GP for a recommendation smile

crazyH Wed 23-Mar-22 13:00:44

Why? If she’s not happy with her GP, just apply to join another Practice.

Aveline Wed 23-Mar-22 13:13:03

Does BUPA not have private GPs available?

ElaineI Wed 23-Mar-22 13:25:22

Most medical insurance companies have doctors on their books. It depends on what kind of doctor. There are private GPs or your NHS GP can refer you to a private consultant for most conditions. Or if you check the websites of private hospitals close by , they will have a list of the consultants they use and how to make appointments.

jude2006 Wed 23-Mar-22 14:12:34

I have BUPA medical insurance, don't usually use it, but because of the awful situation with getting a GP's appointment during the pandemic, and now, I have done.
It is brilliant, you get to choose the date and time, its called Babylon Healthcare. A GP will then call you and advise on whether you need treatment.
Many GP's are doing this now, funny how they seem to find the time to be able to do this!!!

PECS Wed 23-Mar-22 17:37:55

jude2006 perhaps that is the difficulty. Private health care undermines the NHS by diverting doctors away from general health care. I know the arguments that it shortens queues.. but the consultant who operated on my friend's back at a cost to her of £7k in a matter of weeks of her original consultation was the same chap who did my op 6 months later & 2 yrs after my original consultation.

M0nica Thu 24-Mar-22 08:00:00

There is more to deciding to use private medecine than queue jumping.

In the last 10 years we have three times resorted to private treatment after really appalling treatment in the NHS. MY daughter was nearly killed by an incompetent GP who ignored a potentially fatal symptom, and currently my DH has given up trying to get either our GP or theNHS heart specialist to take any notice of the constant pain and inflammation he is suffering from as a side effect of a medication stopped over a year ago and prescribed after heart surgery.

PECS Thu 24-Mar-22 08:38:28

M0nica are you implying that you are guaranteed a better quality doctor by going private?
In my admittedly limited awareness the same consultants/ GPs work in both sectors & have read about cases brought against medics for negligence in private practice too.

Casdon Thu 24-Mar-22 08:48:33

You are correct PECS, the vast majority of doctors who work privately also work for the NHS. I take what Monica means as that her family has benefited from second opinions sought privately. However the NHS is the backstop for complex medical conditions because the vast majority of private hospitals have no ITUs, and aren’t staffed to cater for complex cases with multi speciality requirements.

M0nica Thu 24-Mar-22 21:17:34

Thank you Casdon that is exactly what I mean. It is what you would do if you employed an unsatisfactory plumber or electrician, why not with a doctor.

We have had excellent treatment for complex conditions in the NHS, but more recently we have received very poor treatment. But, when my DD's life itself is at risk, I am prepared to try anything to make sure she isn't killed by indifference and neglect.

Poppyred Thu 24-Mar-22 21:24:30

Local Health Board will give you that information.

vegansrock Fri 25-Mar-22 06:13:59

Google will be a good start- type in “private consultant for …….” you will find a lot of clinics etc come up.