Choosing a private hospital

“When it came to choosing a hospital, I didn’t do much research. The Harbour Hospital, part of Circle Health Group was my nearest private hospital, and I had heard from friends that all their orthopaedic surgeons were excellent. I only came across PHIN after I had arranged my operation.

“Initially, I reviewed my hip X-ray with my NHS doctor in September. While I was in pain, I was still able to walk, thanks to my monthly visits to my chiropractor. The doctor confirmed my hip was in bad shape – completely bone-on-bone – and booked me an assessment. The first available date was mid-February, and even then, I wasn’t guaranteed a spot on the waiting list for surgery. Given my history of heart issues and my active lifestyle, I knew I couldn’t afford to wait, so I opted for private treatment instead.

“My experience at The Harbour Hospital was outstanding in every way. From my first consultation to my post-surgery care, everything was handled with professionalism and compassion. My surgeon, Mr. Kent, was highly regarded, and I found him to be both skilled and genuinely pleasant. The nurses, physiotherapists, and all other staff members were excellent, making the entire process smooth and reassuring.

The cost of private healthcare

“Of course, private healthcare comes at a cost, and this was something I had to consider carefully. I had already paid for two stents 18 months earlier after waiting five months to even see a cardiologist through the NHS. My wife and I were using our savings, and while she insisted I go private, I was conscious of the financial impact.

“That’s when I came across Chrysalis Finance. I saw their advert on the hospital wall and realised that I could spread the cost of my treatment without having to cash in my fixed ISA and lose over £800 in interest. I hadn’t heard much about monthly payment options for healthcare before, but the process with Chrysalis was seamless. The application was simple, and everything was fully integrated with the hospital’s system. It couldn’t have been easier."

Life after hip surgery

"Now, post-surgery, I can confidently say that this decision has transformed my life. I’m pain-free for the first time in years and can live as I once did. My children live in Geneva and Lisbon, each with two young children, and being able to visit them without struggling through airports or feeling held back is a joy. Recovery from a painful and debilitating condition is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and I try to remind myself every day how fortunate I am to have regained my mobility.

“I would absolutely recommend both Circle Health Group and Chrysalis Finance to anyone considering private treatment. The care I received was second to none, and the ability to spread the cost made it all possible without financial strain.

“A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in my journey — I’m beyond grateful to be enjoying life to the fullest once again!”

Disclaimer

Circle Health Group is one of the many hospital groups we collect data from in the UK. We are very grateful to them and Chrysalis Finance for sharing Pat’s story with us so that we can share it with you. 

Please note we are sharing Pat's story for illustrative purposes only. PHIN provides information, but 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.