NHS patient, Rich Walker, 53, a Business Executive from Seer Green, chose to drive 90 minutes to the city after hearing a hospital there had no waiting list.
Rich had been stuck with gallstones and said delays to receiving treatment locally were threatening both his health and his job, which involves long-haul travel.
After ending up in A&E with severe pain, he was placed on a waiting list but realised he could be waiting many months.
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He said: “I couldn’t afford to wait.
“Flying is a huge part of my job, and every flare-up put that at risk.
“I didn’t have private cover, but I knew that on the NHS I could choose my hospital.
“When I heard Practice Plus Group hospital in Birmingham had no waiting list at the time, I got referred there and was seen in days.”
After a consultation, Rich had his gallbladder removed within weeks.
He added: “I genuinely believe if I’d waited locally, I’d have lost my job.
“More people need to know you can choose where you’re treated on the NHS – and get seen much faster.”
TV Doctor, Dr Hilary Jones, has been speaking about the power of Patient Choice, having just travelled 180 miles for his own surgery.
He said: “I’d do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care.
“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.”
Dr Hillary Jones (Image: Contributed) Jim Easton, chief executive of Practice Plus Group hospitals, which also offer private healthcare, said: “It’s fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10 year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences.
“Both Dr Hilary and Rich found this at our Birmingham hospital which currently can see people in a few short weeks.
“We’re proud to have been able to help them and wish them both a speedy and healthy recovery.”