MRI scan and orthopaedic treatment in Norway

 

The Western Mail in Wales tells the story of Valerie Adams, an adult education tutor, who was the first British patient to be seen at a specialist Norwegian orthopaedic clinic.

 

"The 55-year-old, who lives near Abergavenny, travelled the 715 miles for a contrasting MRI scan after being told she faced an 18-month wait for the same diagnostic procedure on the NHS in Wales. The Norwegian Scanhealth clinic also pledged to perform any operative work, if needed, to her damaged shoulder on the same day, although the MRI scan ultimately showed that non-surgical treatment was needed.

 

The diagnostic tests, including the cost of flying to Norway and two nights' accommodation, was £500, compared with the £325 price tag for an MRI scan done privately in Wales.

 

Mrs Adams, who has three children, said, "I'm sorry that the problem couldn't be corrected quickly but I feel as though I have had a very thorough examination and what feels like an accurate diagnosis. It was worth it."

 

"You hear of people travelling to Turkey or India for treatment where they are huge differences, but going to Norway didn't feel like a huge difference - it was almost like going to another town in the UK. The worst part of it all was the journey to and from Stansted Airport."

 

Mrs Adams started suffering pains in her shoulder 18 months ago. She was initially referred for physiotherapy, which gave her back some mobility but did nothing to ease the pain.

 

She later had an X-ray at Nevill Hall Hospital, in Abergavenny, which suggested possible damage to the shoulder, and her GP referred her to see a consultant.

 

Mrs Adams faced an 18-month wait for MRI scanning and decided to pay for one to be done privately in Wales, which proved inconclusive.

 

She said, "I spoke to a consultant radiologist I know who said that I probably needed a contrast MRI where dye is injected before the scan is done.

 

"I asked for the referral but heard nothing, then it was suggested that I had an MRI scan on my neck, but I felt I couldn't afford another £325 on the off chance that the problem could be my neck, even though there was no reason to think so."

 

As the pain in her shoulder increased Mrs Adams was sleeping no more than three or fours a night, while still working full-time.

 

It was then she started to research medical treatment abroad and discovered Scanhealth, in Norway, and another clinic in France.

 

She emailed both and within a day had heard back from Scanhealth. The surgeon told her that they could do the contrast MRI and would carry out any necessary surgery the same day.

 

Mrs Adams said, "I spoke to my GP about it and asked him what he would do and he said he'd go to Norway. So I went."

We provide an enquiry service for information or quotations from up to three hospitals for people interested in diagnostic imaging abroad.