With long waiting times for NHS appointments, those flyers offering private tests and treatments can seem tempting. But is it worth paying, and where exactly are the gaps in your free healthcare?
By Jo Waters
SPECIAL HFG REPORT
THE NHS IS UNDER PRESSURE, there’s no doubt about that. Yet it’s still free at the point of delivery and available when you urgently need it – you know for sure that if you collapse or become dangerously ill, a 999 call will summon an ambulance to take you to hospital and you won’t have to produce a credit card. But when you need less urgent care things can become less clear.
Public support
Most healthcare professionals back the NHS all the way. ‘I am immensely proud to work in our NHS,’ says HFG expert and GP Dawn Harper. ‘I know sometimes it can be frustrating when waiting times seem interminably long, but when the chips are down – if there is a real medical emergency or you need cancer treatment urgently – the NHS will look after you. This may mean cancelling people with less urgent problems (hence the waiting times), but it’s reassuring to know that when you really need it, the NHS is there.
‘I often see people returning from abroad when they’ve had a health problem and incurred a bill for a three or four-figure sum (see p34). That’s the reality of the cost of health. I know some people grumble about the things we do pay for, such as dental care and prescription charges, but the truth is, the prescription charge may only cover a fraction of the cost of the medication.’
The private truth
In spite of this safety net, demand for private acute medical care has risen by an average of 7.4% over the past five years, suggesting long NHS waiting lists are pushing more patients into the private sector. If you do take this route, it’s important to be realistic about costs.
‘You may be seen more quickly if you go private, but if you’re self-funding, it’s easy to rack up huge bills quickly, so always check on costs,’ says Dawn.
We’ve taken a look at what you’re entitled to for free on the NHS, when you’ll need to pay and some ways to save on additional costs.
NHS HEALTH TESTS
Early detection makes many illnesses easier to treat. It’s worth knowing what you’re entitled to
Health MOTs
Private healthcare MOTS can be expensive (costing around £500), while core tests are available on the NHS. Dawn says: ‘Anyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who is registered
