Good Morning Britain's Dr Hilary Jones updates fans on hospital stay as he admits he's 'delighted'
ITV's Dr Hilary Jones has been recuperating in hospital after journeying 180 miles to receive treatment - all to sidestep a lengthy waiting list. The 72-year-old telly doctor is urging others to also travel hundreds of miles, if necessary, to avoid enduring pain while waiting for a local facility to provide treatment.
Dr Hilary, who has previously discussed his need for a hip replacement, aims to raise awareness that private medical facilities can be accessed by NHS patients at no cost to receive treatment more promptly. By taking advantage of this lesser-known service, it could potentially alleviate some of the pressure on NHS hospitals.
The star - known for his appearances on ITV shows such as Lorraine and Good Morning Britain - is shining a light on NHS Patient Choice, which he used to find a hospital with virtually no waiting list for treatment. Patient Choice is an NHS service that allows individuals to search for private facilities, hospitals and other providers they can access.
Private hospitals can even be accessed as long as they offer the same service as the NHS - with patients granted access without being charged for it.
Dr Hilary, who represents Practice Plus Group, opted to utilise a new hospital in Birmingham for his treatment, enabling him to receive care more quickly. As reported by the Express, the TV personality shared: "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.
"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.
"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.
"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 decision to use the facility follows a survey commissioned by Practice Plus Group and conducted by OnePoll. The survey asked 1,000 adults experiencing chronic discomforts, including those seeking surgery, about their preferences.
The findings indicated that most would be willing to travel an average of 60 miles for prompt treatment within three to four weeks, or 49 miles if the wait was six to eight weeks. In fact, 10% disclosed they'd gladly journey over 200 miles to secure an NHS procedure within a month.
In the previous year, Dr Hilary shared insights into his own surgical experience and emphasised that the public had alternatives for quicker treatment. Reflecting on his hip replacement, he stated via the Practice Plus Group 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."
Moreover, he noted: "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."
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