How to book a Private Neurologist and tests.

Hi all,

I’ve had several symptoms over the past few months that are gradually getting worse. From my research I have concluded it is likely to be MS but I want to confirm and which type.

As my symptoms aren’t too severe (numbness, slight balance issues, arm weakness) the GPs won’t put me down as an urgent case for a neurologist. I am therefore having to wait until January 2023 for an appointment.

Given that it is getting worse, I want to know what I have sooner than that and therefore I am looking to go private.

I have never booked private healthcare before and have no idea where to start so would be grateful on any advice on:

  • Finding a good neurologist - I am London based
  • What tests I am likely to have to pay for
  • What happens after diagnosis, how am I referred back to the NHS?
  • Likely costs for the above - I am not rich, this would be coming out of savings…

Any help would be appreciated, feeling quite lost in the system at the moment and just want some answers!

Hi @Pikers … if as you say it is months and not years that you have been experiencing symptoms then my advice for what it is worth is take a breath. January 2023 is a long way off but even if you were to get a diagnosis tomorrow so can treatment be as many post on here will testify.

Yes going private is a shorter route to testing but again the neurologist may only do so if there is sufficient reason to do so. You may feel you have MS but they may not be as convinced, even if later you are proved right.

It might be worth over the next 6 months writing a diary and monitoring your symptoms and their progression. This is not a wasted activity as whether you go private or not you will be asked how your symptoms have deteriorated.

MS, is a bit like Russian Roulette, as to which type of MS you have, if all only time will tell.

Costs in London, not cheap I”m sure. Don’t lose heart keep posting…

Hi Pikers,

I ended up booking a private MRI which cost £350 and that included a telephone consultation with a private gp who talked through my results with me. I had markers on the brain that could be a sign of MS so he then wrote me a referral letter to take to my gp so i could be urgently referred to a neurologist on the NHS.
I’ve currently been wanting about 15 weeks and in that time my appointment has been cancelled and rebooked 3 times but i should be getting seen next week if it’s not cancelled again.
I would of really liked to continue privately but it was just too expensive.
For the little private health care i did get i would definitely recommend it if you can afford it.

Hope this helps a little.