After noticing some lumps and bumps on her arm, leg and abdomen, Nathalie, 41, from Seer Green, Bucks, grew very concerned and contacted her GP immediately. Anxious that the lumps could be a symptom of cancer, she wanted a diagnosis as soon as possible. When her GP told her it would be around a six-month wait to get a diagnostic scan on the NHS, she opted to use her private medical insurance cover to get answers sooner.
“I would certainly recommend anyone currently experiencing a long wait for an NHS scan to claim on their health cover or pay for a private diagnostics appointment with Practice Plus Group for a speedier ultrasound and added peace of mind.”
Nathalie, ultrasound patient at Practice Plus Group MSK and Diagnostics, Buckinghamshire
Nathalie says: “I’d had a lump on my arm for a year or so, but it didn’t really bother me. However, last summer I noticed two other visible lumps on my leg and abdomen. I was really worried that they could be some sort of tumour, so I called my GP and went to see him. After an examination, my doctor couldn’t say for certain what the lumps were and advised I have an ultrasound scan to check them out thoroughly and get a diagnostic opinion. However, he warned me that even if he referred me on the spot, the appointment would take about six months to come through on the NHS.
“My doctor asked if I had private medical insurance, which fortunately I do. He wrote a referral letter to my insurer, Healix, who assured me that I should be able to get an appointment quickly with a local diagnostic service. My insurance provider sent me a list of six diagnostic companies who could perform the ultrasound scan and diagnose my lumps. Practice Plus Group Diagnostics, Buckinghamshire, in High Wycombe was my preferred choice as it was close to home and I’d been there before and received excellent treatment.
“I felt everyone went out of their way to support me…I felt really well looked after…I’m deeply grateful they saw my distress and were able to give me the results I so wanted to hear that day.”
Nathalie, ultrasound patient at Practice Plus Group MSK and Diagnostics, Buckinghamshire
“On the day of my appointment, the local traffic near my home put a bit of a spanner in the works! I ended up arriving 40 minutes late to the appointment due to the unforeseen chaos of some roadworks. I was already feeling a bit worked up and anxious as I’d been building myself up to the appointment still fearing the worst. The receptionist at Practice Plus Group Diagnostics was amazing, I can’t thank him enough. Not only did he put me at ease, but also did everything they could to try and get my appointment scheduled that day despite me being so late. Initially, we had thought it would be impossible, but after speaking to several members of staff and seeing my stress increase, he went above and beyond to fit me in. I’d been prepared to wait the whole day as I’d taken the day off work and was so relieved when I was able to go through to have my scan.
“The diagnostics team were amazing and reassured me quickly that the lumps in question were not tumours, but caused by fatty tissue. They told me they were not harmful and could be removed via an operation in the future if they were bothering me. To be honest, I was just relieved I didn’t have cancer and was so grateful to everyone who helped me at the clinic.
“I felt everyone went out of their way to support me, especially Cath Duncan and Cal Forster who helped secure the scan appointment and I felt really well looked after. It would have been perfectly reasonable to have asked me to come back another day, but I’m deeply grateful that they saw my distress and were able to give me the results I so wanted to hear that day. I would certainly recommend anyone currently experiencing a long wait for an NHS scan to claim on their health cover if they have it, or pay for a private diagnostics appointment with Practice Plus Group for a speedier ultrasound and added peace of mind.”
