Private Hospital care?

I've been waiting to go into hospital for minor surgery to remove a growth that is not cancerous but is causing minor problems. I was surprised to come home tonight to find a letter from the very posh private hospital a few miles from my home offering to carry out the surgery and recovery time stay in their facility.
They have told me the NHS have referred me to them and the NHS will coverall the costs of my surgery and stay in hospital.

Now part of me is not in favour of supporting private health care as I believe I pay enough to the National Health Service to ensure that my care should be looked after within their resources. However in the past I have always put the health of my children above my own principals and paid for them to have private treatment to avoid long painful waiting times on the NHS.

I have to give them a ring in the morning to see if I want to take up the offer.

What are your views of health care and what would you do in these circumstances?

In theory im opposed to private health care, though in certain circumstances health becomes more important than principles...i cant afford to go private anyway, so no moral dilemna for me.

If you go there Ben, you definately wont get the same treatment at home. No choice of dinners, tea, clean bedding everyday. Just appreciate it when your there.

Im all for private health care if you can afford it...

Just imagine being in hospital and stuck in a private ward with nobody to talk to all day. I must ask if they have broadband access in my room before I make my mind up on what to do.

My m8 in derry was waiting for an op and according to the charter at her local hossi if she didn't have this op by 6 months then private alternative would be sought. Same must have happened to you!

Needs must - GO 4 IT!

go for the private, i'm on private health insurance.

This is all part of the government scheme. if the NHS can't do it, they pay for a private hospital to do it.

we're quite lucky really that we have free care, so that if there's an accident, you do get treated, rather than someone asking if you have insurance before they keep you alive!

i think that everyone should have the choice to have private health care if they want, but that they should pay less in taxes or get a rebate on taxes when they do need medical care.

i think you should take up the offer. its not as if you're paying for it! plus, if you don't, who knows how much longer you'll have to wait on the NHS!