"Very disappointing - do not use"

I wish I had read the other reviews before I started talking to the Spire.

In a nutshell, the quote I was given was doubled by the time I came to book the surgery.

I had emailed and spoken to someone to check my understanding of the quotation, so as to avoid this kind of situation.

All I can say is that the departments are not joined up, and communication was very poor and misleading.

The surgeon's PA did not even know that you could contact the hospital online and get a quotation.

I will now have to pay the initial consultation fee and not go ahead with the surgery because it is way more than I can afford.

I would never have had a consultation if I had been told the price might double.

Very poor customer service from the PA.

I would day the department who dealt with my initial query were great (friendly, helpful, responsive), apart from now I do not understand where they fit in, if what they quote does not stand.

When I had queried with the PA re whether the consultation fee was part of the whole cost (which I had been told it was), they emailed back with: 'the notes on the letter are to make sure patients are aware extra tests are chargeable i.e. the surgeon may require a MRI scan or Ultra sound which are not classed as the surgery, we have had patients attend for surgery and have underlying medical conditions they were not aware of, which test would be required for and not part of the planned surgery.’

This I understand.

However, I have not been made aware that I have any underlying medical conditions, or that I need an MRI scan or Ultra Sound, or indeed anything other than the surgery I originally requested.

Also, in the original email quote I received, it says that 'This guide price includes every aspect of your care - your consultant surgeon, hospital fee and a follow-up consultation if requested. There are no hidden extras.’

It is not at all clear what 'guide price' means given the other information I received (i.e. the quotated emails above).

I should not have to play detective to get clarity.

I should not have to speak to the hospital several times to be sure of the the fee once it has been quoted.

And then to have the price doubled anyway.

Frustrating, disappointing, very poor.

I would not recommend to anyone.