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A Complete Guide To Private Ultrasounds And Private Doctors
Private and public healthcare systems offer a range of different services designed to offer medical services to people. When it comes to ultrasounds, picking a healthcare service can seem like a difficult decision. We’ve designed this complete guide to help guide you through private ultrasounds and private healthcare so that you can make an informed decision about your medical care.
To find out more information about private ultrasounds and private healthcare, keep on reading!
Ultrasounds are imaging tests that use sound waves to look inside your body. They can also be called sonograms, being used to create real-time images of internal organs or soft tissue and differing from X-rays because they don’t use radiation to look inside the body.
Ultrasounds are often used to monitor unborn babies, diagnose conditions or guide surgeons during some procedures. The image produced by the ultrasound is displayed on a monitor while the scan takes place. Usually ultrasounds last from about 15 to 45 minutes and are performed by a medical professional or radiographer.
You can have an ultrasound carried out in your local GP practice, hospitals and other community locations. Depending on the reason for your ultrasound, there are three main types:
- External – The probe is moved over the skin
- Internal – The probe is inserted in to the body
- Endoscopic – The probe is attached to an endoscope and put into the body
Your medical professional will be able to guide you and inform you about the process.
After an ultrasound, you can usually go home after the scan and go back to your normal activities. If you were given a sedative however, then it’s advised that someone should come and collect you from your scan. You should also avoid driving, alcohol and machinery during this time.
A diagnostic ultrasound can be used to help your medical professional look at internal areas of your body and see if any parts are working incorrectly. These types of ultrasounds can help to identify what’s causing certain symptoms in your body such as unexplained pains or abnormal blood tests. Diagnostic ultrasounds can also be used to assess medical conditions such as:
- Heart conditions
- Tumours
- Infections
- Blood clots or circulation problems
There are a few differences between private and public healthcare services that make them extremely different. Keep reading to find out more about healthcare.
The NHS or National Health Service is a government funded healthcare service that is free to all UK residents. Being a free public service, during the COVID-19 pandemic the NHS came under a great strain with regards to staffing and funding, making it extremely difficult to keep up with the influx of patients during this time.
After the strain the NHS suffered during the pandemic, problems have still persisted with public healthcare here in the UK. Wait times can often be long, and making or getting appointments to begin with can be a struggle. Because of these reasons, many people have decided to opt for private healthcare services so that they can receive the medical care they need in a more timely manner.
Private healthcare services are medical services that you pay to have access to, either through insurance or directly. Private healthcare offers a range of benefits that may not be available through the NHS.
You can access private healthcare through your GP for one off appointments if they give you a referral to a private specialist, you can access private services this way. Alternatively, you can arrange a health consultation or receive a recommendation that refers you to a private clinic too.
If you’re looking for a long term private healthcare plan, the best course of action is to research a variety of private clinics that meet your medical care requirements. You can reach out to these clinics to find out more information about their services and pricing. Additionally, you can contact your health insurance provider to find healthcare plans that fit your needs.
It’s no secret that private healthcare is going to cost you, in comparison to public services which are free. However, the cost of private healthcare will be dependent on a range of factors like your age and the level of care you are looking for. You can discuss your healthcare needs with a provider or your health insurance company and they will be able to discuss the price of healthcare with you.
Yes! You can use both private and public health care services. If you are paying for [private healthcare, the NHS is still free to use for anyone, so you can still use these services.
It is recommended that you don’t use a combination of the services if you’re undergoing a specific round of treatment or on a course of medication. This can become confusing and combining medical care options for treatments can cause problems. Both of your healthcare providers will be able to discuss this with you and advise you on the best course of action.
There are a range of benefits that come with private ultrasound clinics, and they can make a real difference to your medical experience.
With private healthcare, the waiting times tend to be a lot shorter than in public services. Whether it’s making appointments, private GP consultations or follow ups, the time in between your medical appointments is likely to be a lot shorter, meaning you are seen to and taken care of faster.
If the care that you require is emergency care or you need to be seen by a specialist quickly, private healthcare can usually facilitate this.
With public healthcare services, you may be seeing different doctors, nurses and medical professionals each time you visit the hospital or GP. Depending on the nature of your condition, this may be challenging and you may need more continuous care.
WIth private services, you have access to a team of professionals and the chance for more continuity throughout your healthcare journey. Having continuous appointments with the same staff members can ease your journey, providing comfort and support throughout your time.
When it comes to private ultrasounds, private clinics can offer you 2D, 3D and 4D scans, which are all the same level of safety. This is something that may not be available to you through public services, which is why many people opt for private ultrasounds. The images can be extremely detailed and with the help of diagnostic tools, your private specialist can diagnose certain medical conditions too.
When it comes to your ultrasound, private services can give you more detailed reports and information with regards to your results. This can appeal to more people, as they want to know as much as possible about their ultrasound.
Private healthcare can give you access to more niche medications and treatments that cannot be provided through the NHS. If your condition requires specific medications and treatment therapies, then private healthcare can be the more appealing service to choose.
Here at Duality Health, we offer comprehensive private healthcare solutions. From urgent care to GP appointments, we offer a range of services including:
- GP services
- Sexual health & contraception
- Scans
- Hearing services
- Emergency care
- Health screening
- Immunisation
Our range of services are designed to accommodate all of our patients. We are dedicated to providing a professional and attentive level of care so that all of our patients feel comfortable and cared for. No matter what your healthcare needs are, we are here to help and our team can help you find the perfect plan for you.
For further information about our services and what we do, feel free to call us on 028 3083 3666. Our team will be happy to answer any questions and help you find what you are looking for.