| I can confirm that for knee operations private cover is a must! I'm with BUPA and they sorted me out double quick and covered everything (rugby injury).
After damaging my knee on Saturday, I went to NHS A&E, where they told me my leg was broken and put me in a cast and told me they'd call me with details of my appointment with an NHS specialist. I never, ever heard from them again....
On Monday I phoned BUPA anyway, and was in to see a specialist on Tuesday. He promptly cut the cast off and diagnosed MCL/ACL damage and not broken bones. By Thursday I was having an MRI scan, for which there is a 4 to 6 week wait on the NHS.
Anyway, enough story, but suffice to say that for an MRI I would have either had to wait those 4 - 6 weeks on the NHS, or pay for one privately which could be about £1000. That £45/month I've been paying for the last 3 years seems worth it now, just covering the MRI!
Fundamentally I don't think things should be this way. I'd love to see a better State health service, but it is what it is and I wouldn't be without private cover now.  | 
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