Nhs Consultants' Bonuses?

[princerupe74]

Do NHS Consultants receive bonuses for successfully recommending patients for major procedures/operations at certain hospitals?

[factor-fiction]

Do you mean commission for referrals to private hospitals?
I doubt it very much

[woofgang]

no definitely not. The choice of hospital is with the patient.

[Sqad]

I don't understand the question.

[boxtops]

If they have a private practice at that hospital, the extra work might come their way - but do remember that a lot of NHS work is now undertaken in private hospitals, the NHS pays the fees for the work to be done.

[Sqad]

boxy

\\\\ for successfully recommending patients for major procedures/operations at certain hospitals?\\\

I don't think that fits your assumption that NHS operations are "farmed out" at the recommendation of the Consultants...........I must say that i still don't understand the question.

[boxtops]

It might not be entirely relevant to the OP, sqad, but certain operations etc are certainly carried out in private hospitals, where the NHS doesn't have capacity. It wouldn't be the consultant who makes the decision as to where the patient goes though - the patient would be offered a number of choices as to where they go, that's how it works these days.

[yogasun]

Ref. boxtops' comments. A friend of ours was offered the same op. (knee replacement) at either the local NHS Hospital or the Nuffield just down the road. He was told he might have to wait an extra two weeks if he picked the latter. He thought that as he'd waited a few months anyway he'd wait the extra two and have a private room, etc!

[Sqad]

boxy....sorry to appear a bit thick.........

Are you saying that in some situations, the Private sector has certain facilities that the NHS can't private........and i don't mean bed availability?

[woofgang]

sqad yes, private rooms and bathrooms, a quieter ambiance, a higher staff to patient ratio, and within that more qualified nurses, more flexible visiting hours, better food, cleanliness, often better parking facilities. The other consideration of course is that the private hospital may be in a better geographical location.

[woofgang]

PS our local private hospital has (or had 2 years ago) different, more high tech diagnostic scan facilities and more flexible delivery of out patient radio and chemo than the local NHS as well.

[Sqad]

woofy..no! you miss my point........I know those features, but the OP specifically mentioned procedures/operations which seem to imply that certain private hospitals have equipment and operating theatre trends that are not available in the NHS.....surely this isn't the case?

[woofgang]

Sqad I didn't get that from the question at all....I thought it was similar to the estate agent suggesting a conveyancer and the conveyancer paying the estate agent for every customer he puts their way.

[Sqad]

woofy...thanks.....I hope OP comes back to explain her OP.