ITV’s Dr Hilary Jones avoided local NHS queues by taking a 360-mile return journey for hip surgery. At age 72, the well-known television medic, from Kent, opted to have his second hip replacement at a Birmingham hospital, to slash the wait time for the operation.
He now shares his experience with this procedure to show others waiting for treatment that they can also speed up their care by travelling further. The doctor took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital with almost no waiting list in the middle of the country.
This NHS service gives people a legal right to choose where they receive their healthcare, including hospitals and other providers. It also includes numerous private facilities, provided they deliver services to the NHS that do not cost any more than a standard referral to other NHS hospitals.
Speaking about his procedure at Practice Plus Group’s new hospital in Birmingham, Dr Hilary said: “It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham, but as it’s a new hospital and it’s a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. Patient Choice gives people real power – they just need to know it’s there.
“The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you’re facing delays locally.
“It’s free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner.
“People don’t want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. Every single person that looked after me was amazing and couldn’t have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.”
Dr Hilary’s perspective comes after a survey of 1,000 adults suffering from chronic aches and pains, including those in need of hip and knee replacements. It showed that many patients waiting for NHS procedures would be willing to travel long distances if it ensured quicker access to their essential surgery.
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Participants indicated they would gladly travel an average of 60 miles if they could receive treatment within three to four weeks, or 49 miles if the waiting time was between six and eight weeks.
Yet, 10% of respondents said they would even travel over 200 miles if NHS surgery could be scheduled within a month. Among those surveyed, 36% are currently on a waiting list, and 17% have been waiting for more than a year.
However, approximately 55% did not know that NHS Patient Choice lets them receive treatment at hospitals outside their local region, which could help cut wait times by choosing private hospitals that also treat NHS patients.
Around 88% of respondents surveyed by OnePoll believe that the option to choose your hospital should be promoted more widely. The research was commissioned by the Practice Plus Group hospital.
With this in mind, Jim Easton, chief executive, said: “It’s fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10 year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences.
“To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner.
“It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible.
“Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital, which currently can see people in a few short weeks. We’re proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.”