I have a Knee problem and I just go around a circle of doctor to local physio, local physio to specialist doctor, specialist doctor to general physio, then after a few month the cycle starts again and it gets quite tiresome as they say there's no need for surgery 'yet' (although the pain i'm in seems to suggest otherwise).

Is it worth going private to see of an alternate treatment, or is it
an expensive waste of time:confused:

If you're in pain then I reckon it's worth going private if you can, especially if you aren't getting anywhere on the NHS. It's not worth risking it with your knees, I have problems with mine and I know it's only gonna get worse as I get older, ouch :(

Yep, totally with you on that one. Got a dodgy ankle and am currently in an ongoing circle of referrals between departments.

I'm considering it, as you can just go and get seen to.
I do know the drawbacks of private healthcare, but in this case, you obviously just need attention, so i'd go see someone and pay up for it.

I think i'll end up doing that soon.

My father was offered a cataract operation privately to speed things up (same consultant, different hospital!). It went badly wrong, and nearly blinded him. It was the NHS who had to pick up the case and put him right again.

Based on that experience, I would wait for the NHS op as it is more likely to be done properly and the NHS may well end up sorting it out anyway.

The private hospital are now disputing liability, saying it wasn't their fault or responsibility, despite the fact that the contract was with them and the money was paid to them.

Caveat Emptor.

Sorry to hear about that one MrHelicopter.

There are all sorts of scandals surrounding private healthcare.
A friend of mine who is studying medicine, and whose father is a doctor, is totally against private healthcare.

He says that you are seen by the same doctors as those in the NHS, but you'll be treated in the evenings - after they've already done a shift at the NHS hospital - therefore being tired and sloppy.

Not sure how much of that is true, i've no reason to doubt him but it does seem a bit harsh.

If you've been trying NHS for ages and you're getting nowhere, it's okay to try private. I only want a bit of physiotherapy, but NHS dont seem to be in much of a rush to give it to me (which I do fully understand).

You're better off going for your own bit of physio. My mum's currently having physio with a woman on Ecclesall Road South. Nearly 30 quid for half an hour session, but she's only been twice and her arms brilliant, and she gave her some accupuncture the other day too.
Chloé