Princess of Wales

Many years ago my late FIL had private healthcare through his employers. My MIL had two hip replacements done (and this was when they kept you in hospital for a long time afterwards). The problem was that private healthcare only gives you so much to spend and so when he needed a heart op they were back to NHS care.

Catherine’s surgeon was a gastroenterologist, not a gynaecologist, so I doubt she’s had a hysterectomy as some are suggesting.

I had an operation with BUPA years ago. Same consultant surgeon I saw on an NHS appointment who didn't know I was in BUPA. Lovely bedside manner at NHS and BUPA hospital. Told I would be in for 2 nights at NHS and was exactly the same at the private hospital. I think Kate's condition is quite serious to be in hospital for 10 - 14 days and not recovered enough for public engagements until after Easter. Probably won't tell us all if it is very serious to not cause public alarm. Hope she makes a full recovery.

If private healthcare is part of your salary I don’t think it would be very straightforward to refuse it

Jose Ann, I’m glad you asked that question as I was wondering the same too

I wish her a speedy recovery. Private health insurance sometimes comes as part of a job, and is not just for the rich or famous. Some people will budget to have health insurance rather than other things such as luxury cars or holidays, others will choose to use savings to have private care if it is in their or own or a family members best interest, each to their own.

I think Kate is absolutely gorgeous in every way. I hope she is ok. I was Thinking that she seems all too perfect as none of us are. That is a lot of time in hospital, I was in for that long recently with pneumonia. Let's hope it is not that. She is a credit to herself, her family and the royal family. We love her in Australia. Speedy recovery Kate.

Years ago

Her treatment is private so she can stay as long as she can pay 😂 😂. Sounds like a hysterectomy but doubt it will ever be disclosed and quite rightly so. Many days ago women were sent away to convalescent and stayed in hospitals for 10 days after such an operation.

That is not to say that the NHS is in a parlous state btw
Miss out a not

That is not to say that the NHS is not in a parlous state btw

Yes its much quicker nowadays, if she has keyhole surgery if its abdominal cut its about 7 days, i had a TAHBSO 20 years ago, was in hospital 7 days. We're all speculating its a hysterectomy but my money is on it being something else

Grantanow

WonderfulLife

I know that people will tell me I am being terrible or cruel, but I am really sorry that the Princess is having a big operation.

But for thousands of UK citizens waiting for an operation on the NHS (like myself) and so far have waited two years and suffering in silence with side effects of the problem, I am a wee bit jealous. Having a medical problem and being taken into hospital without having to wait. Oh to be a millionaire so I could pay for the operation myself.

I think you might give yourself leave to be rather more than a wee bit jealous (though I suspect you were being ironic). It's disgraceful that the Royals have such health privileges when people are waiting years for necessary treatment.

DH has had a couple of procedures done privately as we belong to a scheme (not BUPA)
I might go privately to have my knees replaced, still thinking about it.

Is that a disgrace? If so, we are disgraceful.

At least we might let you move up the queue.

That is not to say that the NHS is in a parlous state btw but it still would be whether people paid for private treatment or not. It's the Governments you need to rail at, Grantanow, every successive one, not those people who choose to go privately, some prioritising that over holidays, new kitchens etc.

Totally agree

At age 73 I had a keyhole hysterectomy on the NHS in the early afternoon on Friday and went home early evening on Saturday. No pain or problem, other than having to Jab myself with blood thinners for about 10 days.

I think there must be something more complicated going on with Kate and wish her well.

Thanks grantanow, but did it reveal how many of the audience/panel had private healthcare?

GrannyGravy13

Ilovecheese

My husband refused private healthcare from his employer, on principle. Some people actually do live by their principles.

Are you implying that those with private health care are unprincipled?

No, I am saying that not everyone is the same. people have different views. All I wanted to say really is that no one can assume that everyone makes the same choices. there is so often the assumption that the only reason a person does not go private is because they havn't had the chance.

Good for Charles. Men aren’t the best at taking care of their health. He’s setting a good example.

Of course Catherine is entitled to her medical privacy, but I find it a bit odd that Charles has been very upfront about his prostate. Perhaps he thought it would make more men be aware. I wish them both a speedy recovery.

That's to *RosiesMaw!!

Sorry ...

It was the last formal question Mollygo. The questioner began by referring to the Royals' hospital stays and then asked, I think, if one should pay to avoid NHS delay. It led on to disclosure by many in the audience that it was impossible to register with an NHS dentist in Peterborough and at least one audience member said she had to go 25 miles away to get NHS dental treatment. The Tory Minister Bin Afolami found that rather difficult to respond to imo. Overall, I thought he was a bit out of his depth compared with Emily Thornbury and the other panel members.

People are going to speculate about why the Princess of Wales is having surgery - it’s human nature. I’m speculating myself (even though I know it’s none of my business). It’s rather a long time to spend in hospital these days, but maybe it’s for privacy (although she could have privacy at home) and/or to recover more fully away from 3 children who may want to bounce on her bed if she were at home! Wishing her well in her recovery. And also wishing King Charles well after his op.

Ilovecheese

My husband refused private healthcare from his employer, on principle. Some people actually do live by their principles.

Are you implying that those with private health care are unprincipled?

I'm sure the Royal family can afford private medicine. Their money. Their choice.

Everyone has a choice. I was just pointing out that is not correct to assume that no one would refuse private healthcare if they had a chance to take it.

Grantanow

I note the private medical treatment of the Royals was referred to in a Question Time discussion tonight in Peterborough about waiting lists and the broken NHS.

I missed that. Did they question the panel and the audience about how many of them had private healthcare?