Dulwich Orthodontic Centre - license to print money?

[powercow]

Our 13-year old son was recently referred (on the NHS) for orthodontic treatment. We were told by the Dulwich Orthodontic Centre that we could either wait 6-9 months for an appointment or pay ?150 for an initial consultation (approximately 15 minutes), after which we could still receive NHS treatment.

For various logistical reasons, we decided to pay the ?150 so he could be seen quickly. The orthodontist told us what braces were available on the NHS. As a matter of curiosity I asked what was available if we opted for private treatment and she said, the same braces, but we could have the appointments after school times rather than between 9am and 3pm.

This all sounds rather odd to me, like paying to queue jump. Is this allowed under NHS rules? I mentioned it to the dentist that referred us and they said that their practice isn't allowed to open on a Saturday just for private patients; they have to treat all patients, private and NHS, alike.

[enjoy]

I know that people pay NHS surgeons for initial consultations in their private practice and then jump the waiting list and get a planned operation on the NHS with that very same suregon without months to wait.

Yes, the whole system is faulty.

[Huggers]

our daughter had all her orthodontic work done at Guys through the NHS, a little wait to start off with but once the ball was rolling her treatment was regular and brilliant .