The consultants/surgeons doing private work do it in their own time.They duly adhere to the contracted hours of NHS.If you stop private practice the NHS hospitals cannot force them to come and work extra.This private work they are doing is in their own free time. It will not improve waiting times.
In some NHS trusts in England they introduced initiative lists. This was to reduce waiting time in outpatient clinics,operations and other procedures. These activities took place (or maybe still taking place in some hospitals ) on weekends when outpatient clinic and operating theatres were free.The medical and nursing staff helping out were paid quite a handsome amount.The people were working extra hours outside their contracted hours ( with consent and willingness ) It is regarded as private work for NHS patients. The only difference is that NHS is paying for the extra cost.
No one is abusing the masses. The NHS is a huge organisation set up to cater for everyone. The private health system is in fact reducing some of the burden and removing some patients who can pay from the waiting lists thus helping the masses.
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