Dr Hilary Jones pictured in hospital bed after huge op as he reveals how go private

ITV star Dr Hilary Jones has been recovering in hospital after travelling 180 miles to seek treatment - in order to avoid a huge waiting list. The 72-year-old TV doctor is encouraging others to also travel hundreds of miles, if necessary, in order to avoid being left in agony while waiting for a local facility to have time to offer treatment.

Dr Hilary, who has discussed his need to undergo a hip replacement in the past, hopes to spread the news that private medical facilities can be accessed by NHS patients free of charge in order to receive treatment sooner. And by utilising this less known service, there could be a knock on effect that NHS hospitals will become under less strain.

The star - who is known for appearing on shows including ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain - is bringing a spotlight to NHS Patient Choice which he used to find a hospital that had next to no waiting list to seek treatment there. Patient Choice is an NHS service that gives people the option to search for private facilities, hospitals and other providers that they can have access to.

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Private hospitals can even be accessed as long as they provide the same service that the NHS would offer - with patients granted access without being billed for it.

Dr Hilary is a spokesperson for Practice Plus Group and he was able to use a new hospital in Birmingham in order to get treated faster. Discussing his use of the hospital, the TV star said, per the Express: "It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham, but as it’s a new hospital and it’s a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP.

"I’d do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. Patient Choice gives people real power - they just need to know it’s there. The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you’re facing delays locally.

"It’s free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner.

"People don't want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. Every single person that looked after me was amazing and couldn’t have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far."

His decision to use the facility comes after Practice Plus Group commissioned a survey by OnePoll to question 1,000 adults suffering from chronic aches and pains, including those who were looking for surgical solutions.

The research revealed that a majority would opt to travel an average of 60 miles for treatment if it could be received within three to four weeks, or 49 miles if the waiting time was between six and eight weeks. And 10% of those surveyed said they would be happy to travel more than 200 miles if an NHS surgery could be scheduled within a month.

Last year, Dr Hilary shared details of his surgery and also highlighted that members of the public had a way to gain treatment faster. He said in a statement shared via the Practice Plus Group website: “I know from my own hip replacement surgery that these ‘routine’ and ‘non-urgent’ operations are truly life-changing. Living with pain and not being able to do the things you love is exhausting and debilitating.

"Fast access to surgery, if this is what you need, will help you re-gain your mobility, your fitness and quality of life. It’s no surprise therefore that going private has become more and more common since the pandemic and is no longer considered just for the rich. But many people are unaware they can also go to a private hospital as an NHS patient, free of charge, and often sooner than waiting for NHS hospitals."

He continued: "Under the NHS constitution you have a legal right to choose which hospital to have your NHS treatment in, and this often includes private hospitals. If your GP, physio or other healthcare professional says they’re going to refer you to a consultant at a hospital in Birmingham, ask for a list of options so you can compare waiting lists and locations.

"You also have a right to switch from one hospital waiting list to another if you’ve been waiting for more than 18 weeks for surgery and can travel out of your area. My advice is always to discuss your options with your GP to help you get back to your best as soon as possible.”

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