I was deemed “too complicated” to be treated by a private health provider

This blog is written by Just Treatment supporter Mary*.

Most people cannot remember the introduction of the NHS, but I can. Back then, the NHS was free at the point of use – including dentistry – but over the years I have seen this change, and not for the better.

At one time, you could access the dentist and the treatment you needed quickly and for free. But this is a thing of the past, with most people paying for the treatment they need and many struggling just to get on waiting lists for NHS dentists.

For many people this is the norm now and we do not stop to think about what we have lost. If we do not reflect and most importantly act, we are at real risk of losing our NHS and ending up in a position where our financial situation dictates the treatment options open to us.

Our healthcare system is heading in the same terrible direction, with the government wasting our money on privatisation, and recently I had my own experience of what care is like at the hands of private companies.

After months on an NHS waiting list, I was referred to a private clinic for cataract treatment as part of an attempt at reducing waiting list times. Instead, after being seen they deemed that the lenses and treatment I needed were too complicated. I was referred back to the NHS and spent months on another waiting list. I have had to go through the pre-assessment again, adding further waiting time to get the treatment I need.

These private companies are receiving money that should be going into our NHS and instead it seems like they are creaming the easier cases off the top and sending anything more complicated back to the NHS – probably so we don’t eat into their profit margins.

Without adequate investment, things will only get worse and patients like me will be waiting longer and potentially see our conditions deteriorate. At the same time, private companies will be making record profits.

We need to stop referring cases to private companies and instead invest in our NHS and take proactive action on tackling our waiting lists.