Forced to borrow money to pay for private care

A woman has spoken of her relief at borrowing money for private treatment for a gynaecological issue that resulted in her being diagnosed for cancer.

Speaking to the BBC, Liz Magnall, 58, from Bury, says she opted to go private after being kept on an NHS waiting list for so long that her symptoms worsened.

Ms Magnall had been on a waiting list at the Manchester University NHS Trust, which has been one of the worst-performing trusts for waiting times in the country.

When her health situation got worse, Ms Magnall decided to borrow money to pay for private treatment.

Doctors at the private clinic discovered the early signs of cancer and recommended Ms Magnall have a hysterectomy to prevent the disease from developing further.

Ms Magnall has spoken of her relief at going private and has urged others to do the same rather than risk waiting on the NHS.

She said: “I literally don’t know how long I would have waited on the NHS. I feel great now.

“My advice? Go private. We can’t rely on the NHS.”

A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Trust said there have since been improvements in waiting times for gynaecological treatments and that the trust would be open to discussing the case further with Ms Magnall if she so wished.

Highlighting the unique pressures the trust contends with, the spokesperson noted the trust’s status as the largest in the country, overseeing ten hospitals and managing numerous complex cases from across the region.

Professor Pat Cullen, Royal College of Nursing general secretary, said: “Bringing down waiting times and improving care requires investment in nursing to improve pay and conditions and stabilise the workforce.

“Any party wanting to be in Downing Street in a year must demonstrate clear intent.”

“I literally don't know how long I would have waited on the NHS. I feel great now