Better get this in first - this is NOT intended to be a starter for ten on the merits of private health and the NHS.

I have a knee problem that needs surgery, as I have private cover through work I can get treatment at a time and place of my choosing. The Consultant who will carry out the surgery has told me he works at both Thornbury and Claremont and wouldn't be drawn on which would be better.

Any views on which is the better hospital ?- if I want the NGH then there is a very long wait as the condition is not viewed as severe.

I've been to Thornbury, quite some years ago now (about 8 years), for physiotherapy on my knee and can vouch for it. It was excellent.

I've been in Claremont, but don't have personal experience of being treated there.

Personally, I would choose Thornbury.

Both hospitals share resources from the doctors down to the instruments used in the operations. The choice realy left to you is which you and family visiting you during your stay, find more convenient to get to. For my money I would echo Leviathan that Thornbury would be my choice too.

Thornbury, it's like going to a posh hotel.

Went in for some surgery myself a number of years ago, the food was so good and the staff so polite that I didn't want to leave, how sad is that...?

I've been in Claremont for a Hip Replacement and found the place great. the staff really looked after me, the food was good and the views were good also.

On saying all this a friend of mine went for a cartilage operation and they removed the left one instead of the one in the right leg.

A few weeks after they did the right one and she was wearing two pots instead of one for a time.

I suppose these mistakes occur in all hospitals but if I was having my knee done I'd certainly made sure they marked up the correct leg before operating.

Good Luck with your operation.

As you are on insurance it shouldn't matter, but I paid for some minor surgery at the Thornbury and really got annoyed at them trying to charge me for post-procedural consultations that were a result of complications of their handiwork.
It took a few months, but eventually they agreed to stick with their initial all-inclusive quote.

I took my mother-in-law to Claremont for a scan about a year ago.

For the money we were paying, the medical staff could have been a little more courteous.

Thornbury has always seemed nicer to me, but I've never been an in-patient at Claremont.

Staff at both were good but suffer from the usual problem of you seeing a different nurse almost every time for your obs, and I think every single one was a different nationality!

I'd go for Thornbury. My Mum attended Thornbury when she has a knee op and they were brilliant. The place was spotless, the op was a success and they had nurses walking around in uniforms like they used to in the 60's! lol The Sisters all looked like Matron off of the Carry on Films.

Definately Thornbury!

But I reckon it depends on which red wine they stock :-) apparetnly, when you are a private patient you get a wine list with your dinner. My Mum was lucky enough to be referred on the NHS, so didn't get the wine menu :-(

I personally attended the Thornbury last august and was very impressed by the level of care I was given whilst there, I would highly recommend it.

I am going tomorrow, I shall let you know.. if I make it out alive...
:(

Good Luck Neeeeeeek!

I've a friend who was referred to Claremont through the NHS for a stomach operation. He told me that they don't have doctors on site there unless they're doing operations. He also said someone had a heart attack while he was there, and they had to call an ambulance!

K x

Thanks for all the comments;

Also did a little research and was informed that Thornbury employs its own house officers and has an Intensive Care Unit, unlike Claremont. I know my problem is not too serious however anaesthetic is involved so will err on the side of caution - off to Thornbury.

I have just been in thornbury having been admitted as a emergency. The care i recived was the best, from the moment i arrived i was given the best medical attention , within 10 minutes of arrival i was seen by the resident doctor who then telephoned my consultant ( this was 11 at night) to inform him of my condition, the consultant then came to examine me and to arrange test for the following morning.the next morning i had x rays and more blood test, I was diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction and was operated on that night. the nurses at thornbury are very good at their jobs and give brilliant care , I would recommend thornbury to any one.

I've worked in both and been a patient in Thornbury. They are both fine. Personally, I would go to Thornbury.