6 THINGS EVERY SELF-PAYER NEEDS TO KNOW

1

Mr Ian Eardley, vicepresident of the royal College of Surgeons, says: ‘Ask a potential surgeon how frequently they operate and what their results are.’ Details of how many procedures a surgeon has done and what their results are can be found on the NHS Choices website.

2

‘If you are offered a new procedure, approach it with caution,’ urges Mr Eardley. ‘Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion or ask to speak to other patients who have had it.’

3

If you are going to be in hospital for a few days, stay in one with low infection rates. ‘Every hospital will have been assessed by the Care Quality Commission and you can read the report on the CQC website,’ says Mr Eardley.

4

Lower prices don’t always mean lower quality: clinics that specialise in a limited number of procedures can offer savings.

5

Check the Private Healthcare Information Network (phin.org.uk), which compiles information such as hospital performance, patient satisfaction and CQC rating.

6

Ask about hidden extras. what happens if something goes wrong? Is follow-up care covered? Make sure you and the surgeon are on the same page in terms of what you consider a successful outcome. For example, improvement in variables such as pain, movement and quality of life.