Having worked for over 20 years in the nhs I am fully aware of how things work. The private sector has for many years picked up nhs work where they have capacity and waits are expected to be excessive. Locally Three Shires and Woodlands near Kettering pick up ops.
Consultants are normally employed on sessional basis and many also do private work so it could often be the same surgeon doing an op in your local nhs theatre or indeed in a private setting.
Waiting lists do vary across the nhs as do results which is why the option on choose and book gives some flexibility on one hand although it may give person logistical challenges if you choose miles away.
The private sector is always better placed to respond to an opportunity compared to local government and nhs as they are funded differently and take business risks compared to the bureaucracy of public funded bodies as the wheels turn a lot slower as we see through redevelopment issues.
Things could always be better and funding, efficiency and staffing better.
Either way I hope that McGowan recovers quickly and we get decent quality cover as needed.
Have a great day. We’re all Cobblers
We are indeed but was disappointed that you of all pundits on here resorted to "snipes"