Hip Replacement

19driver83

On the Public System,

Can a person pay to see the consultant and still stay on the public waiting list for the operation?

I assume this speeds up the process.

intheclouds

You can see a consultant privately and then ask to be referred to his public list.

I did it 8 years ago for a knee surgery and the consultant had no issue with it.

Things may have changed since then however, so I would proceed with caution.

Alf Veedersane

My Dad paid to get his done privately and the consultant referred him to his public list for the other one but it won't speed things up.

We was told 12-14 months and then when he rang a couple of months later ahead of the first op, he was told it was still 12-14 months away.

Might not be the case across the board but I wouldn't expect you to go farther up a public list just because you went to a consultant privately.

intheclouds

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Might not be the case across the board but I wouldn't expect you to go farther up a public list just because you went to a consultant privately.

No you definitely do not go farther up the public list for the operation itself.

The point is that you get to see the consultant faster as the waiting times just to see the consultant is significantly reduced by seeing him privately.

Once you see him you are "in the system" and subject to whatever waiting times anyone else is.

For my knee surgery I only had to wait a week to see the consultant, his public appointment list was about 10 months long at the time.

Then he put me on his public list for surgery (this was necessary as my VHI wouldnt cover the surgery). It was only a 6 week wait for the surgery.

So in total I was done and dusted within 7 weeks versus 11 months or so doing the whole thing publicly.

Alf Veedersane

intheclouds wrote: »

No you definitely do not go farther up the public list for the operation itself.

The point is that you get to see the consultant faster as the waiting times just to see the consultant is significantly reduced by seeing him privately.

Once you see him you are "in the system" and subject to whatever waiting times anyone else is.

For my knee surgery I only had to wait a week to see the consultant, his public appointment list was about 10 months long at the time.

Then he put me on his public list for surgery (this was necessary as my VHI wouldnt cover the surgery). It was only a 6 week wait for the surgery.

So in total I was done and dusted within 7 weeks versus 11 months or so doing the whole thing publicly.

Ah. I was of the impression the OP was only asking if paying to see the consultant to get on a public waiting list would speed things up on the waiting list for the op itself.

19driver83

intheclouds wrote: »

No you definitely do not go farther up the public list for the operation itself.

The point is that you get to see the consultant faster as the waiting times just to see the consultant is significantly reduced by seeing him privately.

Once you see him you are "in the system" and subject to whatever waiting times anyone else is.

For my knee surgery I only had to wait a week to see the consultant, his public appointment list was about 10 months long at the time.

Then he put me on his public list for surgery (this was necessary as my VHI wouldnt cover the surgery). It was only a 6 week wait for the surgery.

So in total I was done and dusted within 7 weeks versus 11 months or so doing the whole thing publicly.

Thanks for the reply.

If doing this - any idea how you find out who the consultant is? In Cork by the way.

intheclouds

19driver83 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

If doing this - any idea how you find out who the consultant is? In Cork by the way.

Did your doc not tell you who you were being referred to? It should be on the letter from the hospital otherwise.

Alternatively research a good orthopediac surgeon in the area (word of mouth usually) and find out if he sits both public and private and then go along to him privately (with a referral letter from your GP).

kikisegura

Hi Guys

I have been reading you because it seems I am candidate for a hip replacement.
I have VHI cover but it seems to me, they could cover me at 80% on private hospitals and 100% in public, and the consultant sits both public and private.
Any idea of nowadays waiting times? I am in very hard pain, and flying in April to Argentina, I know that over there I could get it done in a week, I have private insurance there as well.
What is more convenient. I would like to get it done here, since I am living here. But as per what I read here it is very discouraging.

Alf Veedersane

kikisegura wrote: »

Hi Guys

I have been reading you because it seems I am candidate for a hip replacement.
I have VHI cover but it seems to me, they could cover me at 80% on private hospitals and 100% in public, and the consultant sits both public and private.
Any idea of nowadays waiting times? I am in very hard pain, and flying in April to Argentina, I know that over there I could get it done in a week, I have private insurance there as well.
What is more convenient. I would like to get it done here, since I am living here. But as per what I read here it is very discouraging.

It depends on the doctor how long you would have to wait on the public system. Certainly don't think you'd be seen to before April anyway.

Also, VHI won't cover 80% in all private hospitals. They specify on your cover

kikisegura

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

It depends on the doctor how long you would have to wait on the public system. Certainly don't think you'd be seen to before April anyway.

Also, VHI won't cover 80% in all private hospitals. They specify on your cover

I might be seen quickly but I am not sure about the waiting periods.
I have printed my policy now, I don't understand much. but in case you are familiar with I am on VHI Complany Plan Plus Level 1.3.
That's fine, In Buenos Aires I can arrange everything in a week. Unbelievable!!!!