Private vs NHS

Provided you have the money, it's literally the best in the world.

People will say that the same doctors who work in NHS clinics work in private clinics on the side, well maybe that's true, but I'm sure the better half of NHS doctors are the ones who are recruited to work privately. Also there's a lot to be said for not having a hectic schedule, people make more mistakes when they're stressed, even otherwise competent folk. What are you worried about anyway?

I'm not some rabid anti-private type person, but know enough about the behind the scenes dirty secrets to shock most doctors.
Private healthcare is increibly loosely regulated. Some of the poor practice that goes on in these shiney hospitals is outrageous. Tests ordered as mone making exercises, people kept in hospital unnecessarily. RMOs (junior doctors) running around doing most the work whilst a consultant flips a coin, makes a decision and then writes a line in the notes. Cancer patients dying on the end of the chemo needle because the doctors wont have an honest discussion with them. Patients literally being dumped outside the hospital and told to call 999 when they have run out of money.

Speed, quality, cost.
Private medicine gets speed very quickly. And can give you good quality. But the quality measures and outcomes accessible to the public rarely reflect what really matters.

This is really helpful.

Lets say I did go private. Is harley street to be trusted?

I know its awful but I'm going to say this

Harley street is neither to be trusted or NOT trusted.

You could see a world class physician or surgeon there.
You could also see a doctor who dropped out after his first year, has been doing odd jobs here and there but labels himself an expert in whatever.
And you could see someone who is a doctor of badger history. So long as they dont claim to be a registered medical professional they can mislead you legally.

Anyone can get offices in Harley Street. Just google it
(example below)
https://www.gumtree.com/p/office-space-offered/1-harley-street-w1-beautiful-affordable-office-therapy-room/1083764200

Never be misled by the location you are seeing someone, or how swanky the offices are nor the testamonials on their website.

Healthcare is one of those services that can be provided efficiently in the free-market. The NHS is, and always has been, a train-wreck of a system.

Is there any private clinic/hospital that's good/trustworthy because I don't really get along with my GP?


Wow, i'm shocked.

This is really helpful.

Lets say I did go private. Is harley street to be trusted?

I know the experience(waiting time) is better but are the doctors more experienced? No offence to NHS doctors .

Depends on what you mean by private. There are two types, one is where the patient pays either to a private health insurance company or from their own funds, but the other type is when treatment is still free at point of access e.g the government sells elective surgery to private firms as its more cost effective and unloads the nhs waiting list. As soon as you mention privatisation the public start thinking about the U.S system and don't want to listen to any of it as they fear it will mean that they may not be able to pay for essential treatment.
But currently, the NHS must change.

Could be less experienced.

Healthcare is one of those services that can be provided efficiently in the free-market. The NHS is, and always has been, a train-wreck of a system.

no difference in the levels of experience ,

any doctor with full and unrestrcited registration can set up in private practice ( and full and unrestricted registration means qualified pre-foundation programme, holds a foundation completion document, or for the very newset of new docs it'll be at first revalidation - so a couple of years after foundation - generally around the break point in nonelinmear specialist training, or at the point of qualification if 3 year VTS continues

Healthcare is one of those services where many people have an opinion and few have a clue.

The NHS is outrageously efficient overall but relies hugely upon staff essentially donating free time and putting up with poor conditions to keep it ticking. Private medicine would not and cannot achieve this. Hence why so many contracts gien to private companies have been handed back as they are not profitable.
The only thing the private sector do more efficiently is value based healthcare of minor ops like cataract surgery. Except of course when they get cancelled due to too many complications...