"Changing from private to NHS treatment could be far more flexible"

I feel that the criteria for changing from private to NHS treatment could be far more flexible and less time wasting.

I chose to see a consultant privately at the Shrewsbury Nuffield in January and told them that I do not have private medical insurance and could not afford to have the procedures done privately. It would have to be on the NHS. We agreed to treat me on the NHS at the RSH, but I would have to get an NHS referral from my doctor – thus a delay of 10 days before I could see my GP.

Then a further delay while I waited for TRAQS to contact me (no problem until then, doing their jobs well in accordance with the criteria). They offered me an appointment at hernia clinic some 4-5 weeks hence more delay which could be avoided if after the initial consultation at the Nuffield the consultant via his secretary informed the booking department at RSH of his decision and for the patient to put on this NHS operating list and the appropriate NHS department informed of this decision.

It seems to me to be pointless to have an appointment at the hernia clinic to see the same consultant on a matter he has already seen me about!