I don't know whether this belongs in SI&CE (because it's about healthcare), non-US politics (because the NHS is a political issue in the UK) or Forum community (because it is in part about me). Please move it as you see fit.
Earlier this year I had a skiing accident and in the process managed to completely rupture the ACL in my left knee. I have a sedentary job, am in generally good health and am in my late 40s so as far as the NHS is concerned I'm a low priority for knee reconstruction. I agree with them because not only is the surgery itself not without potential issues (tightening up my knee could break other things) but by most normal standards my knees are fit for purpose. Sure I can't run or ski any more and occasionally my knee gives way but then again I can walk 15 miles without issue, cycle, carry out reasonably vigrous chores and the like.
The Welsh NHS is a bit of a mess for my kind of problem - a lot of resources have been poured into cancer care not leaving that much for this kind of minor surgery. My GP surgery however covers both England and Wales and I managed to talk myself onto a waiting list for knee reconstruction in Bristol. I've been led to expect about a 5 month wait which would put my surgery some time in January/February.
On Saturday I received a letter from Somerset Surgical Services (SSS) who are an "NHS provider of care" inviting me to call them with a view to getting an earlier surgery date. To me this feels like NHS privatisation by the back door where easy cases like mine are handled by private providers meaning that the NHS is left with complex cases and as a result looks less efficient, further accelerating the privatisation process. On that basis I am inclined to decline.
Then again, SSS could be being paid whether or not they actually perform any procedures at all so in effect a decision not to go with SSS may actually cost the NHS money. Looking at their website, I'm not completely confident about their ability to perform the operation in any case. I'd rather go with a knee specialist and it seems that they only have one suitable orthopaedic surgeon and their website hardly inspires confidence.
To me this looks like an opportunistic and under-qualified private company taking advantage of the NHS market. In the event that things are screwed up, the NHS ends up picking up the pieces. For example, if an overnight stay is required, it will be in Weston General Hospital.
Earlier this year I had a skiing accident and in the process managed to completely rupture the ACL in my left knee. I have a sedentary job, am in generally good health and am in my late 40s so as far as the NHS is concerned I'm a low priority for knee reconstruction. I agree with them because not only is the surgery itself not without potential issues (tightening up my knee could break other things) but by most normal standards my knees are fit for purpose. Sure I can't run or ski any more and occasionally my knee gives way but then again I can walk 15 miles without issue, cycle, carry out reasonably vigrous chores and the like.
The Welsh NHS is a bit of a mess for my kind of problem - a lot of resources have been poured into cancer care not leaving that much for this kind of minor surgery. My GP surgery however covers both England and Wales and I managed to talk myself onto a waiting list for knee reconstruction in Bristol. I've been led to expect about a 5 month wait which would put my surgery some time in January/February.
On Saturday I received a letter from Somerset Surgical Services (SSS) who are an "NHS provider of care" inviting me to call them with a view to getting an earlier surgery date. To me this feels like NHS privatisation by the back door where easy cases like mine are handled by private providers meaning that the NHS is left with complex cases and as a result looks less efficient, further accelerating the privatisation process. On that basis I am inclined to decline.
Then again, SSS could be being paid whether or not they actually perform any procedures at all so in effect a decision not to go with SSS may actually cost the NHS money. Looking at their website, I'm not completely confident about their ability to perform the operation in any case. I'd rather go with a knee specialist and it seems that they only have one suitable orthopaedic surgeon and their website hardly inspires confidence.
To me this looks like an opportunistic and under-qualified private company taking advantage of the NHS market. In the event that things are screwed up, the NHS ends up picking up the pieces. For example, if an overnight stay is required, it will be in Weston General Hospital.
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