{"id":12371,"date":"2025-03-22T13:53:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T13:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/?p=12371"},"modified":"2025-04-22T19:47:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T18:47:39","slug":"a-joint-effort-nhs-or-private-whats-the-right-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/2025\/03\/22\/a-joint-effort-nhs-or-private-whats-the-right-option\/","title":{"rendered":"A Joint Effort: NHS or Private \u2013 What\u2019s the Right Option?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Audio transcript:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/summative-blog-transcript.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The lecture series by Prof Dickinson on prosthetic joints prompted my thoughts on this topic with my tennis interest in Andy Murray and how it has affected close family friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The comeback of Murray following his hip resurfacing was astounding. Watching him win the European Open tournament in Belgium post-surgery demonstrated his determination and ability to compete at the highest level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2294\" height=\"1529\" src=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Andy_Murray_US_Open_2012.jpeg\" alt=\"Andy Murray\" class=\"wp-image-12375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Andy_Murray_US_Open_2012.jpeg 2294w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Andy_Murray_US_Open_2012-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Andy_Murray_US_Open_2012-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Andy_Murray_US_Open_2012-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Andy_Murray_US_Open_2012-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2294px) 100vw, 2294px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An image of Andy Murray playing at the 2012 US Open. Available at <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Andy_Murray_(US_Open_2012).jpeg\">https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Andy_Murray_(US_Open_2012).jpeg<\/a> (Accessed: 14\/03\/2025). By Francisco Diez, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license from Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Murray\u2019s hip resurfacing was done privately and quickly. I will share two stories from close family friends who have had very different experiences on knee replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is a knee replacement?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This topic is explained <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/knee-replacement\/what-is-a-knee-replacement\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/knee-replacement\/what-is-a-knee-replacement\/\">here<\/a>. The summary is that knee replacements are used to treat pain and stiffness in the joint, usually caused by osteoarthritis. The process involves making an incision in the knee with metal and plastic replacement parts fitted as seen in the image below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Knee_Replacement.png\" alt=\"Total knee replacement image\" class=\"wp-image-12376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Knee_Replacement.png 1200w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Knee_Replacement-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Knee_Replacement-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/529\/2025\/03\/Knee_Replacement-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An image of the components for a total knee replacement. Available at <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Knee_Replacement.png\">https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Knee_Replacement.png<\/a> (Accessed: 14\/02\/2025). By BruceBlaus, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license from Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How successful are knee replacements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.nhs.uk\/data-and-information\/publications\/statistical\/patient-reported-outcome-measures-proms\/finalised-hip--knee-replacements-april-2018---march-2019\/success-satisfaction\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/digital.nhs.uk\/data-and-information\/publications\/statistical\/patient-reported-outcome-measures-proms\/finalised-hip--knee-replacements-april-2018---march-2019\/success-satisfaction\">2020 NHS report<\/a> found that from over 80,000 patients, 75% responded that they felt much better following the operation with 64% being very satisfied with the results. The success of this treatment is why I feel access to them is so important, but the question of how to make it fair is challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wait times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NHS has a very open website called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk\/\">My Planned Care<\/a>. Taking the University Hospital Southampton statistics accessed on 21\/03\/2025, in the orthopaedic department the average wait time for treatment was 21 weeks. This led me to read a journal article <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/rheumatology\/article\/41\/4\/390\/1788089\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/rheumatology\/article\/41\/4\/390\/1788089\">\u201cWho should have priority for a knee joint replacement?\u201d<\/a>. The degree of suffering, payment of National Insurance and caring for dependants are reported as the most important factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My friends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-background-color has-background\">Ms D went down the private route for her knee replacement and had the operation within three weeks. Before this time, she had put on weight and was withdrawn socially. After the operation, Ms D\u2019s mobility improved, and she resumed frequent international travels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-background\">Ms C suffers from severe knee pain such that she rarely travels far on foot, something that has dampened her usually bubbly spirits. Ms C is opposed to private treatment. She also has a close friend who had a private knee replacement that was infected. Ms C is on an NHS waiting list for knee replacements and is hoping to have the operation in the next few months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My dilemma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both people have very different outlooks. My main concern is regarding quality of life. Ms D has now sadly passed away, but she lived ten years with her knee replacement. Ms C is in her late seventies and suffers. I tried to put it to Ms C\u2019s husband in a recent phone call about \u201cWhy don\u2019t you consider the private option?\u201d, but it was quickly shot down. If it could be afforded, then the quality of life improvement would be massive, surely it would be worth the money?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Concluding thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having been a medical student for a couple of years before switching university courses, I have seen first-hand how the NHS system is struggling. I often have a pessimistic view on its survivability in its current form and I see private healthcare as a necessary evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing that both suffered greatly, with Ms D having a huge quality of life improvement, makes me uncomfortable with the fact that this could\u2019ve been avoided in Ms C\u2019s case. I find myself feeling regret that Ms C hasn\u2019t put her morals aside for the benefit of her physical and mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The video below summarises my debate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"UOSM2031 Blog Video\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FYP2Qpx_bDU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Audio transcript: The lecture series by Prof Dickinson on prosthetic joints prompted my thoughts on this topic with my tennis interest in Andy Murray and how it has affected close family friends. The comeback of Murray following his hip resurfacing was astounding. Watching him win the European Open tournament in Belgium post-surgery demonstrated his determination [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6833,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-assessed-item-1","category-assessed-item-2","category-ethics-and-the-law","category-rehab-and-prostheses"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6833"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12371"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12548,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12371\/revisions\/12548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}