I can’t get a quotation from private healthcare clinics without incurring a consultation fee – surely this must be against consumer rights? They seem to have very well-trained sales staff to answer the ‘new customer’ line and so I find myself embroiled in a sales pitch, and a hard-sell pitch at that, being explained that for them to offer a tailored, personalised service….etc etc…they would really love to invite me to their clinic to conduct a consultation, and would I like to pay now or on arrival….I have managed to get out a price range from them but it has varied from the £100s to the £1000s and all have been vague as to what exactly this includes in terms of procedure, after care etc. Does anyone know of a website that offers quotations for private procedures from clinics without having to pay, and having to travel to visit the clinic?
Hi,
I've actually been having the same problem. I find that there are so many price ranges available (up to £6000) for the orthodontic treatments I'm looking for which are provided by the private health sector. In order to get an accurate quote I would need to book a consultation fee for £100 each practice!
This would make it near enough impossible to compare quotes from several practices which means I am forced to only have one consultation and then hope for the best they are offering me a good price for it because I can't afford to have several other consultations anywhere else.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-price-of-beauty--40131
Why can't they just give a better idea of what the treatments will cost, or even try not to make the consultations so expensive. Is it really necessary?
I totally agree with you! Having been used to a clinically lead NHS, it is a real eye opener to now see the commercial side of healthcare, and as a consumer I feel totally lost and unable to get access to real information, comparable information, and real reviews from real patients/consumers so that I can be in charge of my health and decide what is best for me. I feel very skeptical of these sales messages and ‘consultations’ that as you say, can cost in the £100s! Does anyone know of an independent source that can offer free of charge quotations and information on a variety of local surgeons?
Hello, I am replying to this post, as I'm currently in the process of getting a quatotation form a private clinic in Poland - clinicforyou, and it is free of charge. The pre-consultation is done based on the photographs that you sent (I'm considering a cosmetic procedure), the surgeon gives his feedback and the price. I think it is very useful, as I can compare the final price with the pries in the UK. I think this clinic also offers eye treatment and dental treatment. Maybe you should try, at least to get a free quotation and consultation.