Consultant appointment in NHS 3 months, 1 month private

Should I just accept that this is life now, or am I right to feel upset?
I have had a health issue for nearly 5 years, but as symptoms settled, agreed with my consultant to monitor via an annual scan and follow up telephone consultation. The last scan was in April, I had a letter confirming no change and advising me of a telephone consultation at the end of November. I have never seen, or been examined by, a hospital specialist.
However, my symptoms returned 3 weeks ago and are severe at times, so, I contacted the consultant's secretary. She informed me that my appointment is the first available and to contact my GP if problems persist.
After discussion with my DH, I checked our nearest private hospital, to find that the same consultant could see me privately, in person, nearly 2 months sooner.
I know that most consultants now work in both NHS and private practice and I am not unsympathetic to the strains of working in the NHS, but this seems tragic to me.
There are other consultants who specialise in the same field, so an option would be to see one of them, but the issue remains.
I can afford the £200 fee, but many people in my position cannot. If I opt to go "private" am I further undermining our struggling NHS?