Latest news with #JimEaston
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
GMB's Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS lists
The well-known television GP from Kent made a 180-mile trip from his home in order to undertake a second hip replacement at a hospital in Birmingham. Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others awaiting treatment that they can also bypass long waiting lists. To do this, he took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital that had almost no waiting list. Patient choice in the NHS provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services. GMB star Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS waiting list Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group's new hospital in Birmingham, Doctor Hilary Jones 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. '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 GMB and Lorraine star added: "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 who looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.' This comes after a poll of some 1000 adults showed that people awaiting NHS treatment would be willing to travel if it meant they could get what they need sooner. On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they'd be seen within three to four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week timeframe. Around one in 10 said they would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month. Data also found that 55% of Brits had no idea that under NHS Patient Choice, they can choose to travel to a hospital outside of their area. The research, which was commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which treat NHS patients as well as those who choose their Wellsoon private healthcare option, revealed that 35% would consider travelling more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £200 or more on the cost of paying for a hip or knee replacement. Jim Easton, chief executive, said: 'It's fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10-year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences. 'To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner. Recommended Reading: 'It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. 'Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital, which currently can see people in a few short weeks. 'We're proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.'
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
GMB's Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS lists
The well-known television GP from Kent made a 180-mile trip from his home in order to undertake a second hip replacement at a hospital in Birmingham. Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others awaiting treatment that they can also bypass long waiting lists. To do this, he took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital that had almost no waiting list. Patient choice in the NHS provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services. GMB star Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS waiting list Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group's new hospital in Birmingham, Doctor Hilary Jones 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. '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 GMB and Lorraine star added: "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 who looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.' This comes after a poll of some 1000 adults showed that people awaiting NHS treatment would be willing to travel if it meant they could get what they need sooner. On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they'd be seen within three to four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week timeframe. Around one in 10 said they would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month. Data also found that 55% of Brits had no idea that under NHS Patient Choice, they can choose to travel to a hospital outside of their area. The research, which was commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which treat NHS patients as well as those who choose their Wellsoon private healthcare option, revealed that 35% would consider travelling more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £200 or more on the cost of paying for a hip or knee replacement. Jim Easton, chief executive, said: 'It's fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10-year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences. 'To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner. Recommended Reading: 'It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. 'Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital, which currently can see people in a few short weeks. 'We're proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.'
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Surge in private medical procedures as NHS cuts back on common surgeries
Operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39%, hernia repair by 110% and tonsillectomies by 105% - with procedures like these deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS. New statistics indicate a significant surge in private medical procedures for common ailments as the NHS scales back or ceases funding for certain surgeries, showing an uptick in operations viewed by the NHS as 'of limited value'. The number of private surgeries like cataract procedures witnessed a 39% rise, while hernia repairs have risen by 110% and tonsillectomies increased by 105%. According to data, analysed from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), England has seen a 61% increase in breast reduction admissions and circumcisions reaching a 118% hike. Furthermore, treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome jumped by 64%, while adenoidectomies soared by 145%. These increases come in the wake of new guidelines seeking to steer NHS commissioners away from these types of surgeries. The Evidence-based Intervention (EBI) list was created to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions which could be inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances. Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group hospitals which conducted the analysis, remarked: "It is correct that there are proper eligibility criteria to ensure that only those people who will benefit from surgery are offered it. "In the last six years, however, through a combination of the COVID backlog, increasing financial pressures on the NHS, and the growing list of procedures they actively try to restrict, we have seen a marked increase in people in debilitating pain or discomfort who are perfect candidates for surgery but can't get the referral." Graeme Wakerley, 71, a retired haematologist who worked for many years in the NHS, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia in 2023 but was unable to access surgery via them, so he chose to pay for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group. Sharing his experience, he said: "A scan showed that the hernia wasn't strangulated which meant it wasn't considered dangerous and I would not be able to get surgery to fix it. "The GP explained that unless it's strangulated, you're in severe pain or mental anguish, there was no point in applying for funding as I wouldn't get surgery. Even when you do get on the list meaning it's serious and you're in severe pain, there would be a two-year wait for hernia surgery. So, I had no choice but to pay." Graeme said he has heard of many other people in similar situations and said GPs are advising people to go private for surgery because there are so many restrictions on funding. Jim says it's important the NHS ensures the EBI programme does not drift away from one intended to benefit patients. He cautions that the EBI has also created a 'postcode lottery' as different areas might adopt the list entirely while others will adapt it. Moreover, he said: "The knock-on effect in not offering these treatments is the gradual disappearance of specialists with enough experience in delivering them, or enough younger doctors trained to perform them."
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Patients turn to private healthcare as NHS cuts funding
Patients have turned to private healthcare as the NHS cuts finding to procedures for common conditions. Private operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39 per cent, hernia repair by 110 per cent and tonsillectomies by 105 per cent since the procedures were deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS, new figures reveal. Analysis of the latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) also revealed private admissions in England for breast reductions have increased by 61 per cent, and circumcision by 118 per cent. While carpal tunnel syndrome treatment was up 64 per cent and adenoid removals by 145 per cent, according to statistics. The numbers have risen since the introduction of a list of procedures NHS commissioners have been guided away from funding. The Evidence-based Intervention (EBI) list was created to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions, which could be inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances – and to save the NHS money. Postcode lottery Jim Easton, of Practice Plus Group hospitals, which performed the analysis, said: 'It is correct that there are proper eligibility criteria to ensure that only those people who will benefit from surgery are offered it. 'In the last six years, however, through a combination of the Covid backlog, increasing financial pressures on the NHS, and the growing list of procedures they actively try to restrict, we have seen a marked increase in people in debilitating pain or discomfort who are perfect candidates for surgery but can't get the referral.' He said NHS bosses need to make sure the EBI programme 'is not drifting from one intended to benefit patients' to 'one that is more intent on cost-cutting'. 'More and more patients are voting with their feet and continuing to seek out these surgeries even if they have to pay for them,' he added before warning of a postcode lottery. 'The EBI list has also created a postcode lottery, for example, where in one area it has adopted the list in its entirety and someone would find it almost impossible to get the treatment they need, in another, the NHS commissioners have recognised their population needs and adapted the list. 'The knock-on effect in not offering these treatments is the gradual disappearance of specialists with enough experience in delivering them, or enough younger doctors trained to perform them.'
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Private ops for common conditions are rocketing due to NHS restrictions, new figures reveal
Graeme Wakerley, a retired haematologist, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and had no choice but to pay for surgery NOT WAITING AROUND Private ops for common conditions are rocketing due to NHS restrictions, new figures reveal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRIVATE medical procedures for common conditions are rocketing as the NHS restricts access or stops funding them altogether, new figures reveal. Operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39 per cent, hernia repair by 110 per cent and tonsillectomies by 105 per cent - with procedures like these deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS. 1 Private hernia repairs have gone up 110 per cent Credit: Getty Analysis of the latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) also revealed private admissions in England for breast reductions have increased by 61 per cent, and circumcision by 118 per cent. While carpal tunnel syndrome treatment (64 per cent), and adenoid removals (145 per cent) are all on the increase, according to statistics. The numbers have risen since the introduction of a list of procedures aimed at guiding NHS commissioners away from funding these treatments. The Evidence-based Intervention (EBI) list was created to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions which could be inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances- and to save the NHS money. Jim Easton of Practice Plus Group hospitals, which performed the analysis, said: "It is correct that there are proper eligibility criteria to ensure that only those people who will benefit from surgery are offered it. "In the last six years, however, through a combination of the COVID backlog, increasing financial pressures on the NHS, and the growing list of procedures they actively try to restrict, we have seen a marked increase in people in debilitating pain or discomfort who are perfect candidates for surgery but can't get the referral. "The NHS needs to take care to ensure the EBI programme is not drifting from one intended to benefit patients and reduce unnecessary interventions to one that is more intent on cost-cutting. "More and more patients are voting with their feet and continuing to seek out these surgeries even if they have to pay for them. "The EBI list has also created a postcode lottery, for example, where in one area it has adopted the list in its entirety and someone would find it almost impossible to get the treatment they need, in another, the NHS commissioners have recognised their population needs and adapted the list. "The knock-on effect in not offering these treatments is the gradual disappearance of specialists with enough experience in delivering them, or enough younger doctors trained to perform them." NHS wait lists rise again Graeme Wakerley, 71, a retired haematologist who worked for many years in the NHS, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia in 2023 but was unable to access surgery via them, so he chose to pay for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group. He said: "A scan showed that the hernia wasn't strangulated which meant it wasn't considered dangerous and I would not be able to get surgery to fix it. "The GP explained that unless it's strangulated, you're in severe pain or mental anguish, there was no point in applying for funding as I wouldn't get surgery. "Even when you do get on the list meaning it's serious and you're in severe pain, there would be a two-year wait for hernia surgery." "So, I had no choice but to pay. I have heard of many other people in similar situations. GPs are having to advise people to go private for surgery because there are so many restrictions on funding."
