As some of you know from the back thread etc, I've been having problems with my back which has been dragging on a bit.
When I was assessed by the NHS in November they deemed it as 'not clinically necessary' to do a scan for my condition.
Needless to say, I'm still not right and having weekly private physio treatments.
Whilst having another session this morning, my physio mentioned that lots of their clients goto France to have MRI scans - it's not so far from us here and it's a lot cheaper.
I've been doing a bit of web research and understand it could be 30-70% cheaper to go there for one, rather than having one done in the UK.
Have any of you any experience of going abroad for tests or treatments? It's not something I've really thought about much before. I've had lots of beauty/spa type treatments abroad whilst on holiday but nothing medical that I can think of.
Would love to hear any thoughts, comments, experiences or advice
Bev x Our family: my-Lovely-Hubbly and I, Benny and our two little Ladies - Betty and Gloria. RIP dear little Ladies - Lottie, Cottie, Elsie, Dottie, Hilda and Margie. You may have gone, but are never ever forgotten.
I think you have to weigh up the pros and cons to having treatment abroad. Granted initial costs may seem cheap, but is person carrying out treatments fully qualified.
How many times have you seen people go abroad for cosmetic surgery (I know that's a different kettle of fish), but come back to this country and then expect NHS to sort out the mess they are in.
Yes I've heard about the cosmetic surgery botch ups and other things too
I'm very much just weighing everything up at the mo
I note that the World Health Organisation has listed France as top of 196 countries for their healthcare provision.
Also, doctors in France undertake eight years of training to become a medical doctor and a surgeon must undergo 11 years.
All Doctors must be registered with the French medical council, and the French Ministry of Health oversees all accreditations of France’s healthcare facilities.
Bev x Our family: my-Lovely-Hubbly and I, Benny and our two little Ladies - Betty and Gloria. RIP dear little Ladies - Lottie, Cottie, Elsie, Dottie, Hilda and Margie. You may have gone, but are never ever forgotten.
Well, I would just on cost - scans can't lie and can be emailed to your consultant, so all good. You go in the tube in a lambing gown, any specialist here can interpret your scans.
Will the NHS sort out any possible probs that a privately funded MRI scan may find, or will the onus be on yourself to provide your own finances and finance any aftercare that may be required.
No problem can withstand the power of continuous thought.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." Thoreau.
Im not sure of the ins and outs of paying privatly for Health things over here as i am ''on the system'' so my medical bills are picked up by the french social security and my top up health insurance , but I can say that the health system is very good here
Over the years we (between my parents and I ) have used pretty much every area of the french health care system, every thing from dentists and opticians to life dependancy icu things and fractures, cardiology, maternity and peadiactrics, Cancer care, Well pretty much every area possible and we have always recieved top notch care...
Hospital rooms are clean and in our local hospitals the rooms are bright and airy,the staff are polite and have time to spend with you, same with the doctors...They will explore everything to make sure there are no other problems.. A friends father went to the doctor for a regular check up, i think he had a sore throat but the doctor picked up a few other things and after referal he found out he had bowel cancer.. All sorted now thank goodness... But they are thoughrough (sp?) The meals are ok, but you can take in your own food and drink unless they are controlling your diet... Every room has a phone which can recieve incoming calls for free and you buy a phone card for outgoing calls, and you can buy a card for the tv. Each room also has its own bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet...
I have to say that if i had the choice of being treated in a hospital in France or the Uk, i would choose France every time
[center]Happy to have shown Titchy Clucker a little corner of France[/center]
Thank you everyone, very much appreciated and Sara, I'm so glad you seen my thread and had time to reply too
We feel that the NHS has failed me very badly, I'm afraid. I'm always hot to say about the good things I've seen on the NHS, but after what happened to me, I can fully understand why people get upset about it.
My-hubbly doesn't even want me to goto the bother of researching NICE guidelines on back care or see my doctor to try and get a referal for a scan again.
If the scan showed that I would need anything doing, I don't know if the NHS would or would not treat me, it's something I'd have to look into.
LBF, I've not seen a chiropractor, no. How do they differ from a physio or an osteopath? It took me enough courage plucking to see my nice physio in the first place and then those horrible NHS butchers (physio's) I saw still give me flash backs!!
Steve, you made me giggle there about the lambing gown!
I did much researching of it all yesterday and it seems a lot of French hospitals are well set up for receiving international patients - they're near airports and in main towns/cities and such. It's definitely an option for us and goggle translate has been so helpful too!
Bev x Our family: my-Lovely-Hubbly and I, Benny and our two little Ladies - Betty and Gloria. RIP dear little Ladies - Lottie, Cottie, Elsie, Dottie, Hilda and Margie. You may have gone, but are never ever forgotten.
I tried an Osteo, a Chiro is much the same fundamentally. Mine told me when I found out what/where the problem was, they cannot help in the low lumbar region - so it's money for old rope...
Chiro is similar to, but different from osteopath. Quick post here, because my internet keeps dropping out today Can't find it, but something is niggling at the back of my mind about something you've said before, that is making me think chiro.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." Thoreau.
My OH sees a chiro for his lumbar back pain and says he's great... He still has pain a year later so I'm on the fence Good luck whatever you decide Bev, as far as I'm aware if you had a scan done privately in the uk and it highlighted need for intervention you could then be referred through the Nhs
Certainly sounds like you've put up with it long enough, if something can be done, even if it means going private/abroad then go for it if it feels right for you .
The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have Woody Allen
I'd be really interested to hear any other information you come up with. I wrecked my knee a couple of years ago and am really fed up now that I've not had any kind of ultrasound or MRI scan to check what the problem is. I booked an appointment with my doc last Tuesday and the earliest she can see me is next Thursday (!!). I'm going to ask for a second opinion, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking about going private. Are operations cheaper in France too? The nearest private hospital here is saying £2,500 for a knee arthroscopy.
Can't find it, but something is niggling at the back of my mind about something you've said before, that is making me think chiro.
