In Practice
Patients who need orthopaedic surgery (for example, a hip, shoulder or knee replacement) and (1) cannot or do not want to afford the waiting times of the NHS, and (2) cannot have private surgery, because their problem is not covered by their Health Insurance as is regarded a pre-existing medical condition, must consider to pay for themselves for their surgery.
The alternatives are either the UK private system, or travelling abroad for their surgery and rehabilitation. Our associated private hospitals in Italy offer a very interesting and convenient option.
IMeT associated hospitals offers excellent medical, surgical and anaesthesiological standards (totally equivalent to those of the UK) at a competitive price and in areas of outstanding natural beauty, with the possibility to combine the treatment with a relaxing or cultural holiday in the vicinity of the hospital, for patients or friends and relatives travelling with them.
In particular, professional physical rehabilitation, of the correct intensity and duration, is often overlooked in the outstretched National Health Systems, and even in the UK private sector, but it can make an enormous difference to the outcome of orthopaedic surgery and other conditions.
The level of surgery offered is comparable with the level offered in the UK and other healthcare systems in the most developed countries, both in the public and in the private sector.
Moreover, particular attention is dedicated to the management of post-operative pain, and to the prevention of venous thrombo-embolism, in line with the most advanced medical standards.
In practice this is what must happen:
Contact IMeT
The patient will contact IMeT through the website here and leave their Name, Email address, Subject and Message. The Chief Medical Officer of IMeT in the UK (Dr Lucio Fumi), will then contact the patient for an initial clarification of any possible question.Appointment with an associated private General Practitioner
Dr Fumi will arrange an appointment with an associated private General Practitioner (GP). The patient will be asked to bring all the letters confirming their orthopaedic surgery needs, a letter from their GP, and any other relevant information.Referral for IMeT associated Hospital
The private GP will organise any residual laboratory test or imaging missing, from the already available information, and will write a referral for the IMeT associated Hospital chosen by the patient. The cost of this consultation and of the routine laboratory or imaging tests is included in the package paid by the patient.Hospital agree date with patient
The hospital will agree a date with the patient; after that, the patient will have to make their own travelling arrangements (advice on airports and airlines can be given for every destination in Italy). If any accompanying person travels with the patient, advice on accommodation options will be given in advance.Pay fee to hospital
The patient will pay the hospital the agreed fee by bank transfer. The fee includes surgery, rehabilitation and hospital stay for the agreed duration. The payment is made in £ / GBP (British Pound Sterling).Travel to hospital
The patient (and any accompanying person) will travel to the Italian chosen airport on the agreed date; they will be picked up by a driver bearing a sign with their name and will be driven to the hospital. The price of the transfer is also included in the package.Surgery and rehabilitation
Surgery and rehabilitation period at the IMeT associated hospital (14-18 days in total).Return home
A hospital driver will drive the patient (and any accompanying person) back to the airport, for the return flight.Continue anticoagulant therapy
At the return in the UK, the patient will continue their anticoagulant therapy until forty days after the operation; if necessary, they can get in touch again with the associated private GP. They will monitor the anticoagulant therapy and follow the patient, in agreement with the patient’s own GP.IMeT - Surgery and Physical Rehabilitation
A new agency, dedicated to offering orthopaedic surgery and physical rehabilitation at four private hospitals in Italy.
Contact
Howbery Park
Innovation Centre
Windrush East, Suite E01
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 8BA
United Kingdom
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