Experiencing problems with your respiratory health can be scary. Conditions such as sleep apnoea, persistent cough or breathlessness often require specialist respiratory assessment. It’s natural to want to receive the best possible care as soon as you can, that can help you understand what is going on and then treat you as rapidly and effectively as possible.
In the UK, we are extremely fortunate to have the NHS, which does an amazing job of caring for people at the point of need. But sadly, it is the victim of its own success, with the demands placed on the system leading to unavoidable delays. It is the reason why some people who are able to, opt for private healthcare. This helps them to get seen quicker and, also, relieves some of the pressure on the NHS, benefitting those who don’t have the option to go private.
As a Respiratory Consultant who works privately and in the NHS, Dr Shalin Diwanji is keen to extoll the benefits of NHS treatment at the same time as recognising that private respiratory medicine offers some definite advantages.
Feedback from patients suggest that these are the top six reasons why they choose to go private.
High quality, personalised care
Being unwell can leave you feeling vulnerable and a little fearful. It is reassuring to know that you will receive personal attention and the best possible care from a leading respiratory consultant. Patient-to-doctor ratios are often lower in private healthcare facilities so you can be confident of receiving individualised treatment with a consultant who is able to spend time getting to know you and your condition. For many, this is the number one benefit of receiving private respiratory medicine.
Reduced waiting times
It’s natural to want to be seen quickly and for treatment to get underway as soon as possible. Sadly, pressures on the system within the NHS mean that patients sometimes have an extended wait for non-urgent treatment. If you are a private respiratory patient, waiting times are significantly shorter meaning that not only will you receive a faster diagnosis, but your treatment can get underway sooner. The advantage of this is that you won’t have the stress of a prolonged wait and you will be able to begin your journey back to health sooner. Talk to us today about how quickly we would be able to see you, whether for a diagnosis or treatment.
Access to state-of-the-art treatment
Rising demand in the NHS means hard-pressed hospital trusts have some difficult decisions to make to ensure they can make their budget stretch. In private respiratory medicine, we are fortunate not to be so constrained which means we can invest in the latest state-of-the-art technologies and treatments. For example, we offer Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Needle Aspirations to assess the inside of the lungs and nearby lymph nodes for signs of cancer and to check whether the cancer has spread beyond the lungs.
Convenience
Another important benefit for private respiratory patients is that they can schedule the time and location of their treatment to fit around their lifestyle and commitments. Dr Shalin Diwanji practices at a range of clinics across London, offering personalised consultations and treatments at convenient and easily-accessible locations. Find out more here.
Consistency of care
As a patient of Dr Diwanji you are assured of receiving consistent, compassionate, one-to-one care from start to finish. We have a committed team who looks after every aspect of your care with us, from our friendly administrative team who will answer any practical questions through to Dr Diwanji who personally oversees every procedure [Is this true?]. We take time to get to know you and your health so we ensure you receive the best possible care, delivered in a way that works for you and your lifestyle.
Fantastic aftercare
Our commitment to you doesn’t end once you have received your treatment. Aftercare is a vital part of your recovery and rehabilitation and our team will offer detailed one-to-one advice and regular follow-ups to ensure you are making the best possible recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please take a look at our website where you will find more information about Dr Shalin Diwanji and the services we offer.
Dr Diwanji is a Respiratory Consultant working at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. He also sees private patients in a range of London locations including: The Wellington Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic, Cromwell Hospital, The Princess Grace Hospital, Clementine Churchill Hospital and OneWelbeck Health.
Yes, we work with a range of insurance providers including Bupa, WPA Healthcare Practice and Axa PPP Healthcare. Visit the Patient Information page of our website for more details.