“Choosing the right hospital and surgeon was an important decision for me. A knee replacement is a major procedure, and I knew I needed to feel completely confident in both my surgeon and the hospital itself.

Do your research when considering an operation

“Before making my choice, I hadn’t heard of PHIN, so I relied on my own research and other people’s experiences with Circle Health Group.

Reading real patient reviews and hearing about their journeys helped me feel reassured that this was the right place for me. I spent time looking through consultant biographies, carefully selecting the surgeon I felt would be the best fit for my needs.

My surgeon, Mr Jason Auld, has had years of experience, and I felt that he was the right fit for me – which made me comfortable when going for my treatment.

Waiting would have meant putting life on hold

“If I had chosen to go through the NHS, I was facing a 16-month wait just to see a consultant, followed by another year (or more!) before surgery. Being retired, that simply wasn’t an option for me. My mobility is incredibly important, and I didn’t want to put my life on hold while waiting in pain. That’s when I made the decision to go private.

“From the moment I walked into Three Shires Hospital, I knew I’d made the right choice. The level of care I received was outstanding — from my first consultation to the day I was discharged. The staff were warm, attentive, and always there when I needed them. And the facilities? Excellent! I felt comfortable and well looked after throughout my entire journey.

Covering the costs of private healthcare

“Of course, private healthcare comes with a financial commitment, but I was delighted to discover Chrysalis Finance. The option to spread the cost over 10 months with 0% interest made the decision even easier for me. I had never considered finance for healthcare before, but the whole process was smooth and straightforward. The application was simple, and everything went seamlessly. I’d absolutely recommend Chrysalis Finance to anyone considering private treatment.

“Hopefully, I won’t need any more surgery in the future, but if I do, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. Right now, I’m just half-way through my recovery, and for the first time in years, I’m close to being pain-free—and that’s an incredible feeling.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has helped me get my life back. I’m so grateful for the care and support I received!”

Disclaimer

We are very grateful to Circle Health Group – one of the many hospital groups we collect data from in the UK – and Chrysalis Finance for sharing James’s story with us so that we can share it with you. However, please note that PHIN only provides information, we do not recommend individual hospitals, consultants or funding methods, so you should make sure you consider all your options before making your healthcare decisions.

Some patients will base their choice on the price (if they are self-pay) of the procedure, others will follow the recommendations of their private medical insurer. Other patients will focus on the consultant’s experience or something about the hospital, such as its regulator rating or location and facilities.

Our Help and advice section can help you find out more about your options.

To search for a hospital or consultant who could treat you, use the search bar at the top of every page on our website, or visit our home page.