Steve Mingay, from Norfolk, chose Wellsoon private healthcare for our lower prices- and got more personalised care than he had bargained for.
“I’ve been very pleased with the way the operation went. I’m walking 7,000 steps a day and have been back to doing tai chi since February!”
Steve Mingay, knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Ilford
“In 2020 my right knee started to feel as though it was dislocating and was very painful at times. I’m a retired police inspector with British Transport Police, and was working as an advanced level motorcycle instructor on a part-time basis. I would nurse my knee and put off seeking help, but then it started to lock and give way.
“I went to see my GP who put me in the system and eventually I was referred to a private hospital as an NHS patient, but even as an urgent case they estimated the wait would be 42 to 50 weeks.
“Having paid previously for my other knee at a private hospital and having paid my dues my whole life, I really didn’t want to pay to go private. But I also had prostate cancer, and with the NHS seven million procedures behind I decided it was worth using savings and my pension to make sure I had as good a quality of life as possible at the right time in my life, and that meant being free from the knee pain. I also wanted the operation in the winter so I could enjoy warmer weather feeling better.
“But then the same hospital I’d had my other knee done at quoted me £18,500 plus consultant fees, MRIs and X-rays, and I couldn’t afford it. NHS hospitals near me quoted £15,500 and £18,500.
“I was seriously considering a clinic in Lithuania which would have meant a two-week stay away from home which wasn’t ideal, but the clinic turned me down on clinical grounds so I was back to square one.
“The staff were amazing. Little things, menial tasks, weren’t above or beyond anyone to do. It was humbling to be in the hands of people so dedicated to their work.”
Steve Mingay, knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Ilford
“Then I heard a radio advert from Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group, made a phonecall, spoke to a lovely bubbly lady who gave me the price with no hidden extras, and I couldn’t believe it- it was £7,000 less than my previous hospital.
“When I first went to Practice Plus Group Hospital, Ilford, I’ll admit it felt more like the NHS than the hotel-like private hospital I’d been to before, but everything was clean and tidy and everyone was friendly. The consultation confirmed that I needed a knee replacement.
“On the day, I was on a ward with four beds and it occurred to me I was very happy not to have spent £7,000 on a single hospital room.
“I was first in theatre in the morning and with help from the physio team I was up and about a few hours later on crutches.
“The staff were amazing. Little things, menial tasks, weren’t above or beyond anyone to do. It was humbling to be in the hands of people so dedicated to their work.
“The moment I’ll never forget is when they wanted to take blood from me and the needle triggered my post-traumatic stress disorder. I have a dreadful aversion to needles as a result of being first on the scene of the London tube bombing on 7th July 2005 at London’s King’s Cross. I have lasting issues from being the first person on the carriage minutes after the bomb detonated, which is why I eventually took early retirement on medical grounds. What I saw and did that day took its toll.
“A nurse spotted how I was feeling and calmly took my hand and talked me through a panic attack. That human contact was incredible and made all the difference.
“Since then I’ve been very pleased with the way the operation went. I’m walking 7,000 steps a day and have been back to doing tai chi since February and on my motorbike since March. My cancer is in remission and I’ve decided to retire and enjoy life!”
