Reflux patients are now waiting several years for surgery in the NHS

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How quickly can my reflux be treated privately?

We all know about the pressure currently facing the NHS and the resulting impact on waiting times. However when it comes to reflux surgery, the waiting times are only part of the story. When diagnostic test delays are added, patients can now expect to wait several years for the surgery they need. This is simply because demand for NHS treatment is overwhelming and set to increase further over the coming years. Some estimates say that over 4 million people are awaiting an NHS elective procedure*.

These waiting times are slashed to a few weeks when treatment is arranged privately, and we are seeing more and more patients turn to this form of treatment to get the relief they need.

*Forecasting the NHS waiting list for elective procedures in England in 2022-2030, University of Birminham and The Royal College of Surgeons

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Why are reflux waiting times so long?

The reason is that reflux surgery is a process that comprises several steps, all that have their own waiting times. Typically:

Treatment by GP
Referral to and treatment by consultant gastroenterologist - this will usually include a wait for endoscopy
Referral to surgery department for consideration for reflux surgery
Assessment by a reflux multi-disciplinary team
Assessment by a consultant
Referral for diagnostic tests, usually 24 hour pH/impedance testing and manometry
Consultant/multi-disciplinary team review
Wait for reflux surgery

In some parts of the country the complete process extends to many years.
For the most severe cases that’s an unbearably long time to cope with the debilitating symptoms associated with acid reflux, and more and more people are deciding to fund their own treatment in order to get relief quickly.

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Our typical waiting times are:

Initial consultation within 7 days
Gastroscopy within 2-3 weeks
Physiology tests within 7 days
Assuming patient has been off PPI medication for 7 days prior to their pH/impedance test
Surgery date within 1 month
Wait times are a little longer for RefluxStop™ at 4-6 weeks

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