Do I go private or NHS for treatment?

The initial reaction to a diagnosis of cholesteatoma may be to have your surgery done privately instead of waiting for the NHS. This is of course a personal choice but before you instinctively leap to this conclusion there is a counter argument.

Cholesteatoma is a slow growing disease, and it is possible that the wait for an NHS surgeon will not cause any more damage than the delay in initial diagnosis. The surgeons that undertake private treatment are often the same surgeon you would receive under the NHS. If the diagnostic tests show any cause for concern, the NHS should schedule an early operation date.

There are also other considerations if you are considering going private for your treatment, not least the cost. The cost of the initial appointment may not cover any diagnostic treatments which could cost extra. If the hospital is far away, you need to consider the time it will take to make your pre and post op appointments, as well as travelling home after an operation when you may not be feeling your best. With all hospitals there is a risk of infection, not just from NHS hospitals.

The definite benefit in going private is the speed of your appointments and operation date. In addition you will be able to select dates and times that are convenient for you. An added benefit is the length of time the consultant can spend with you explaining your treatment options.

At International Cholesteatoma Association we are conducting research to list the number of operations each surgeon undertook in the UK in the last year. This will enable patients to see who has the most experience. However the data will not show the quality of the operations, the outcome of the operations, and only includes NHS hospitals (not operations undertaken at private hospitals). Despite this, the data may be a useful aide to making your decision on which surgeon and hospital to use.

Currently in the UK – in England – you have the right to choose a consultant of your choice and can request a referral to the relevant hospital. In Wales this is not the case, although you can request a particular surgeon you do not have the right to choose a consultant.