Thinking he’d pulled a muscle in his groin, Anthony Mackintosh, 64, went to see his GP as he was in significant pain. After undergoing tests some weeks later, he learned that although he had arthritis in his hip, he didn’t meet the criteria for an NHS operation as it was not considered ‘bad enough’. That’s when Anthony came to see us about our Wellsoon private healthcare service at our new Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham. Since his first appointment with us, he’s not looked back.
“I feel lucky to have been treated by the team in Birmingham…I’ve already told anyone who listens about how wonderful the team are and would thoroughly recommend Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham. I can’t fault it at all.”
Anthony Macintosh, hip surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
He says: “Initially, all the NHS would offer me was painkillers which didn’t really help and over time the pain got worse. I decided to get a second opinion and went for a private x-ray locally which showed a spur on my hip, thought to be caused by arthritis.
“I returned to my GP with the x-ray and was told that although there were signs of arthritis it ‘was not bad enough’ to be referred for surgery on the NHS. As the weeks passed, the pain had increased so much that I was unable to enjoy any of my routine activities; I love gardening, looking after our cars and was a volunteer carer for the elderly. I’m also responsible for a lot of the afterschool care for my grandchildren and it was becoming near impossible to get about, due to the pain. I was overwhelmed by how quickly the pain was worsening, but I felt I could not rely upon the NHS to help.
“I can’t wait till the Spring to get outdoors properly and enjoy all the good things in life. In just days since the surgery, my pain-free hip now matches the youthful age I feel again!”
Anthony Macintosh, hip surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
“My body was starting to feel like it didn’t match how young I felt, and was holding me back. I was becoming very down about it all, as my life was on hold. We were cancelling day trips, holidays, and outings as I couldn’t walk very far without having to sit down.
“Around this time, I saw an advert on TV for Wellsoon, a new private healthcare provider. I looked online and saw they were opening a brand-new hospital in Birmingham which was easy to get to from Northampton where I live. I made an appointment with their team and arranged a private consultation.
“An x-ray confirmed that my hip had deteriorated very rapidly and was now ‘bone on bone’. I decided there and then that I would have the surgery done privately. No more waiting or putting myself in the hands of the NHS and wondering at what stage my hip had to be before it was considered bad enough to be treated. My wife could see how much pain I was in and we were unable to enjoy our lives like we used to. We know the NHS does its best, but luckily we were in a financial position to pay and we just wanted to get it done so I could get back to my normal life.
“When we compared Wellsoon costs against other private providers for the same procedure, there was no question who we would select.
“It was an easy decision to book in for surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham. From the start, I received excellent treatment and advice and felt I was finally getting somewhere with my hip. On the day of my surgery, I was thrilled by the care I received. I was booked in for surgery the first morning the brand-new hospital theatres were open! Everything was spotless and the team were wonderful. Surgery went very well and by the afternoon I was able to walk a little. My hip was a bit sore from the operation, but it was so positive to see that I’d soon be active again with the help of my physio.
“I feel lucky to have been treated by the team in Birmingham. It’s down to them that I feel so good now. They were all kind and caring and really fun. I’ve already told my neighbour and anyone who listens about how wonderful the team are and would thoroughly recommend Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham. I can’t fault it at all. I have since had my staples removed and even the NHS nurse who removed them commented on the amazing job that the surgeon had done, the scarring is amazingly limited, and the nurse said she had never seen such a good job.
“I can’t wait till the Spring to get outdoors properly and enjoy all the good things in life. In just days since the surgery, my pain-free hip now matches the youthful age I feel again!”
