Hi,

This is such a frequently asked question that the NHS has the answer on their website ;-) www.nhs.uk/.../

Basically you can have any diagnostic tests done privately without it having an impact on your right to NHS treatment as these are separate things. What you couldn't do is have a CT scan privately, start treatment privately and then complete the treatment on the NHS. Your GP will be able to advise and recommend a private provider in your area - you may need a referral from your GP. 

Have you tried phoning the local CT appointments team and askng them to confirm that your referral has been received? I've done this in the past, explained  I was worried sick about the delay and said I'd be happy to take a cancelled appointment at short notice. On one occassion they said the referral hadn't been received, on another they had a cancelled appointment which I was happy to take. It's worth a try.

Best wishes

Dave

Hi,

Thankyou for your reply, and that NHS link was really helpful. I haven't been referred for a CT scan, but just to see a gynaecologist. I was thinking that they might recommend I have a CT scan (and I'd like to have one to be honest, to put my mind at rest), so then my choice would be to either pay for it and have the scan privately, or at that point, get put back into the NHS to wait for the scan.

So I was thinking that (if a CT scan isn't too expensive) I could see the consultant, have whatever diagnostic tests they think are required with them and then depending on the outcome, get put back into the NHS for treatment. Would that work do you think?

Just thought I'd pop on and say private scans are not cheap, my friend has just had one done privately and it was over £1,000.  Davek is right, private consultation is not too expensive then you go back on NHS.  I had this done years ago and it was £175.00 but a lot more now, the consultant then saw me all the way through the treatment needed.  Good luck, Carol 

Hi Carol,

Oh wow - that's expensive! Thanks  - that helps.

:)