ITV's Dr Hilary Jones pictured in hospital bed after huge op as he gives top tip

Edinburgh Live

8 hours ago

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ITV's Dr Hilary Jones has been recuperating in hospital after journeying 180 miles to receive treatment, thereby bypassing a lengthy waiting list.
The 72-year-old television medic is urging others to consider travelling significant distances if it means avoiding prolonged discomfort while awaiting local treatment availability.
Dr Hilary, who has previously spoken about his need for a hip replacement, aims to raise awareness that NHS patients can access private medical facilities free of charge to expedite their treatment. This lesser-known service could potentially alleviate pressure on NHS hospitals.
The celebrity doctor, known for his appearances on ITV shows such as Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, is drawing attention to NHS Patient Choice, which he used to locate a hospital with minimal waiting times. Patient Choice is an NHS service allowing individuals to search for accessible private facilities, hospitals and other providers.
Private hospitals can be accessed provided they offer the same services as the NHS, with patients granted entry without incurring any charges.
TV personality Dr Hilary utilised a new hospital in Birmingham, courtesy of Practice Plus Group, for expedited treatment. Speaking to the Express about his decision, the TV doctor said: "It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham, but as it's a new hospital and it's a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP," reports the Mirror.
He expressed his satisfaction with the experience by saying, "I'd do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. Patient Choice gives people real power - they just need to know it's there. The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you're facing delays locally."
Moreover, he pointed out the financial benefits: "It's free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner."
Dr Hilary also touched upon the common desire to avoid long waiting lists, adding, "People don't want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. Every single person that looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far."
His turn to the clinic was influenced by a study from Practice Plus Group, which enlisted OnePoll to canvas the views of 1,000 adults troubled by persistent maladies and those seeking surgical relief.
The survey uncovered that most are ready to journey an average of 60 miles for treatment within three to four weeks, or trek 49 miles if the wait is between six and eight weeks. Intriguingly, 10% expressed they'd venture over 200 miles if it meant snagging an NHS operation slot within a month.
In the previous year, Dr Hilary divulged insights from his own experience with surgery, simultaneously drawing attention to an expedited avenue for the public to access similar medical care. He articulated through a statement on the Practice Plus Group's website, "I know from my own hip replacement surgery that these 'routine' and 'non-urgent' operations are truly life-changing. Living with pain and not being able to do the things you love is exhausting and debilitating."
He added, "Fast access to surgery, if this is what you need, will help you re-gain your mobility, your fitness and quality of life. It's no surprise therefore that going private has become more and more common since the pandemic and is no longer considered just for the rich. But many people are unaware they can also go to a private hospital as an NHS patient, free of charge, and often sooner than waiting for NHS hospitals."
He went on to say: "Under the NHS constitution you have a legal right to choose which hospital to have your NHS treatment in, and this often includes private hospitals. If your GP, physio or other healthcare professional says they're going to refer you to a consultant at a hospital in Birmingham, ask for a list of options so you can compare waiting lists and locations.
"You also have a right to switch from one hospital waiting list to another if you've been waiting for more than 18 weeks for surgery and can travel out of your area. My advice is always to discuss your options with your GP to help you get back to your best as soon as possible."