Struggling with Long Waiting Times for Pain Relief Injections?
Increasing demand on the NHS has led to ongoing challenges in accessing certain specialist services, including ultrasound guided injections for pain relief. Many patients are now facing lengthy waiting lists, during which musculoskeletal conditions can worsen, leading to prolonged discomfort and reduced mobility.
While the NHS continues to provide essential and high-quality care, pressures on capacity mean that non-urgent treatments—like steroid injections for joint and soft tissue pain—may not always be immediately accessible. As a result, patients may wish to explore alternative options to receive timely treatment and prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.
However, there are alternatives to long waiting lists. Complete offers fast, safe and effective private ultrasound-guided injections at an affordable price. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of ultrasound-guided injections at Complete Injections and why you might consider going private.
What are Ultrasound-Guided Injections?
Ultrasound-guided injections are the gold standard method for delivering medication directly to the source of the pain. An ultrasound machine is used to guide the needle straight to the target. Research has shown this technique to be highly effective and accurate.
Ultrasound-guided injections are also incredibly safe. Delicate structures, such as nerves and blood vessels, can be seen and avoided. Furthermore, because the needle is monitored throughout the procedure, this technique has been shown to be quicker and much less painful than unguided injections.
Why choose a private ultrasound-guided injection at Complete Injections?
Skilled Clinicians, One-Stop Service:
All our clinicians are highly skilled in both diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injection techniques. This enables us to offer a comprehensive, one-stop service: assessment, diagnosis, and treatment all in one appointment. Whether you’re seeing a doctor or another trained clinical specialist, you can be confident in receiving expert care without the need for a GP referral.
Our clinicians teach diagnostic ultrasound and injection therapy internationally, and lead postgraduate training across the UK, reflecting the highest standards of clinical quality and assurance for our patients.
1. Fast pain relief:
Complete Injections offer incredibly low waiting times (on average 2–3 days). We can often see you on the same day as your initial enquiry.
2. Precise, targeted treatment:
Ultrasound-guided injections use real-time imaging to accurately guide the injection to the target area, ensuring the medication is delivered exactly where it’s needed. Ultrasound guidance ensures gold standard effectiveness whilst minimising the risk of complications.
3. Individualised treatment:
An appointment at Complete Injections includes a full clinical assessment, including a diagnostic ultrasound scan. Once you have been provided with an accurate diagnosis, the correct and most clinically effective treatment can be offered. If an injection is needed, your clinician will be able to discuss this with you and provide the injection in the same appointment. There is no need to make a second appointment or obtain a GP referral beforehand.
4. Cost-effectiveness:
While private healthcare might sound expensive, ultrasound-guided injections at Complete Injections may be more affordable than you think. There are no hidden charges or the need for multiple visits to receive a single injection. You will be assessed, scanned, and treated all in one appointment. An ultrasound guided steroid injection is £280. We also provide platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections and hyaluronic acid injections at very cost effective prices. Here is the full list of fees.
5. Patient experience:
Complete Injections prioritise patient experience. Your journey from booking an appointment to post-injection care is individually tailored to your needs. You will have direct email contact with your treating clinician throughout the whole process. We have over a 1000 reviews on TrustPilot with an average score of 4.9!
Frequently asked questions about private injections
Am I allowed to have private treatment alongside NHS treatment?
Yes, you are. The NHS clearly states that it is your right to choose where you seek treatment and confirms that patients can have both NHS and private treatments running concurrently.
The NHS guidelines state that your position on an NHS waiting list should not be affected if you choose to have private healthcare. However, the NHS cannot subsidise your private treatment—this must be paid for by the individual.
Should I cancel my NHS appointment after having a private treatment?
We highly recommend that you do not cancel any future NHS appointments after receiving an injection at Complete. It’s important to remain in the NHS system. With prolonged waiting times, it’s prudent to keep any future appointments open in case you require further tests or care.
How do we communicate private treatments with your GP?
Although a GP referral is not required, we believe that open communication between our service and the NHS is important for safe and effective care.
After your treatment, you will receive a clinical letter outlining your diagnosis, the procedure undertaken, and details of any medication used. We recommend you share this with your GP to ensure your NHS medical records are up to date.
If you have other medical conditions, we will write to your GP beforehand to request relevant information. We may also request further investigations in our clinical letter when necessary.
Conclusion
While the NHS remains a cornerstone of healthcare in the UK, the effect of long waiting lists on quality of life cannot be ignored. If you’re in pain and need timely care, you do have options. Private ultrasound-guided injections at Complete offer fast, safe and effective pain relief tailored to your condition.
📞 To book an appointment or find out more, call 020 7482 3875 or email injections@complete-physio.co.uk.