Thinking of going private

[kazandmal]

Hi everyone

I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago after a stint in hospital with pneuomonia, my referral to Aintree Liverpool hospital was sent that week, but as of this week they reckon they have still not received it. Merseyside have a referral to treatment turnaround of 18 weeks, due to this delay mine is now standing at 21 weeks and counting. I am now thinking of going private as I am desparte to get this sorted, and wondered if anyone else from the north west have gone to any of the clinics this part of the country. There is a place in Birmingham called Vita clinic they also deal with obesity, they quote online £600 for initial tests/treatment/diagnosis and then £60 per month thereafter for 12 months which I thin included cpap and regular checks. I am also waiting on a quote from a private hospital in Crewe Cheshire.

Would be grateful on anyones thoughts on NHS v Private, and costs that anyone else has incurred etc.

thanks guys

[Tigers Fan]

NHS vs Private

To my way of thinking, NHS equals wait a long time to get your CPAP and maybe/probably lose your driving license for a few weeks or months. It also means get what equipment you are given (and this varies a lot around the country) and what back-up/support you are given (varies a lot, as well). You will probably have a limited choice of masks and that choice may well not include the right mask for you. The service is for free.

Alternatively, going private opens the whole world of choice, back-up and support to you. It is quick, efficient and effective. It carries a considerable cost but you get exactly what you want, when you want it.

You can always rent a rig but that gets expensive in the long term.

Rather than dealing with hospitals and clinics, you could go direct to manufacturers, who run their own sleep clinics. James of this forum and Intus Health can steer you to good products other than Respironics and Resmed.

If you decide to buy your own and are an international thinking sort of guy, you can save a lot of money by buying on-line from the States if you don't have a trip planned in the near future.

TF

[James @ Intus]

I wrote my "two cents" in your other thread here.