Private vs nhs in Birmingham area

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ClareNZ
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Keratoconus: No, I don't suffer from KC

Private vs nhs in Birmingham area

Postby ClareNZ » Wed 17 Nov 2021 10:42 am

Hi. Our son aged 20 years has just been diagnosed with KC in both eyes - one mild and the other much worse. We're currently living in NZ but planning to return to the Birmingham area in the next couple of months. The eye specialist here has recommended CXL for both eyes. We're wondering if it is better to delay treatment until we're back in UK seeing as follow-up will be required. I note from other threads that timely treatment on nhs can be difficult. How quickly can you get this treatment privately and does anyone have experience with the clinics in the area? Am aware of BMI Priory and Spire Parkway and have sent an enquiry through to them both in the meantime. Thanks very much for any advice. This is still quite new to us

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Anne Klepacz
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Re: Private vs nhs in Birmingham area

Postby Anne Klepacz » Wed 17 Nov 2021 4:06 pm

Hi Clare and welcome,
Covid has affected waiting times in the NHS - I'm not sure whether it will also have meant that there's a longer wait for private treatment as well. Quite a few corneal specialists in NHS hospitals also see patients privately, so you may well see the same consultant in the clinics you mention as you would see in the Birmingham NHS hospitals. On the NHS, eligibility for CXL depends on scans showing progression 6 months after the initial scan. So that's the inbuilt delay in the system, designed to stop unnecessary procedures. Though if you have your NZ scans, they may be accepted as the baseline.
Hopefully you'll get a reply from the clinics you've approached quickly to help with the decision.

ClareNZ
Contributor
Contributor
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed 17 Nov 2021 10:27 am
Keratoconus: No, I don't suffer from KC

Re: Private vs nhs in Birmingham area

Postby ClareNZ » Wed 17 Nov 2021 6:07 pm

Hi Anne
Thanks for your reply. Yes I was wondering how much covid might have influenced waiting times both privately and on NHS. We're seeing the specialist in NZ again tomorrow so will hopefully get a clearer picture of things here then.
Many thanks


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