WAITING FOR SURGERY ON THE NHS? WHY GOING PRIVATE COULD COST YOU MORE DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE

The Telegraph - Bulging NHS waiting lists mean more and more patients have opted to pay for private medical procedures, but the cost can vary dramatically across the country, a report has found. At 4.4 million, the waiting list for surgery on the NHS is the longest it has been in 12 years as the service suffers from staffing issues and the much-publicised pensions tax crisis, which has caused senior staff to turn down work. Around 662,000 people have waited longer than the 18-week target. In this climate, demand for private treatment has grown by more than 7pc with one in four private patients funding procedures themselves without medical insurance. However, the cost can differ dramatically. A standard hip replacement...>>>