With a spring in her step and plenty of holidays on the horizon, Diane, 79, from Inkersall, Derbyshire, is extremely grateful to her healthcare team for changing her life.
Why surgery was needed
Before having three joint replacement surgeries – both hips and a knee – Diane’s mobility had deteriorated dramatically and her beloved holidays were marred with extreme joint pain. Diane recalls:
“I suffer with acute osteoarthritis. Before joint surgery, walking was very bad. My knees in particular were excruciating. I couldn’t walk up or down slopes and stairs were a real challenge. I’d have to go sideways. On holiday once, I had to walk up the slope to the reception backwards, luckily the hotelier saw me struggling and came to my rescue and offered support.”
Referred for treatment
Struggling to get around and desperate for relief, Diane’s GP in Inkersall referred her to Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough – a decision she was more than happy with. Although it's a private hospital, the treatment was still funded by the NHS.
“I was happy to be referred there as I’ve only ever heard good reports about Barlborough Hospital,” she explains.
From the moment she arrived at the hospital, Diane knew she was in good hands. “The care I received each time with each joint replacement surgery was excellent. I was so surprised after my first knee operation that I was able to walk on it the next day without any pain.”
Post op scars are
While Diane found the hip surgeries easier to recover from than the knee, she embraces every part of her journey, including the small visible reminders. “The scarring doesn’t bother me, I’m proud of it. They are like a badge of honour at my age and show how far I’ve come.”
Her operations have brought significant improvements to her daily life. “I’m walking 100% better since surgery, though slopes are still a little tricky,” she admits. “I prefer to walk anywhere flat!”
Renewed mobility after operations
Diane’s renewed mobility has allowed her to continue living life to the fullest. “Since surgery my life is so much better. I am independent, still driving and love to travel.” She recently returned from a holiday in Majorca, she comments: “We walked for 20 minutes twice a day to visit restaurants and sightsee – it was lovely.”
Diane appreciated the personal touch of her treatment at Barlborough: “The hospital offers what I’d say is like one-to-one care. You don’t feel like a number on a list. It’s almost like coming in for a little holiday break.”
Diane adds: “It was great to recover at home and I got good at adjusting my pillows to support my joints so I could sleep comfortably at night. I’d recommend the hospital and its team to anyone who asks!”
NHS treatment at a private hospital
Being treated at a private hospital as an NHS patient is part of your legal right to choose, and does not cost you anything. This may be an appropriate way to reduce your waiting time or for types of specialised care. It is important that you understand the process so that you receive the care you need while also helping the NHS to use its resources effectively.
The NHS covers all the costs of your treatment with a private hospital though NHS choice. You only pay for extra personal items, such as phone calls or newspapers, just as you would in an NHS hospital.
Read our guide below for more information about being treated in this way.
How does this experience compare to other hip or knee patients
PHIN has brought together data from thousands of private patients who have completed Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) surveys before and after they surgery for some of the UK's most common healthcare procedures which require a stay in hospital. We now publish these in a tool we call the PROMs Explorer to make it easier for patients to find the information that will help them make more informed healthcare choices.
