Question about private/public for a friend

Hello Sister, I went private for my surgery (single mastectomy). My surgeon recommended me to a particular oncologist at a Cancer Center nearer my home but turns out it is a public only centre (he doesn't see private patients). He saw me for initial consult and has seen me twice since but it was made clear to me that I would be seeing registrars on occasion and I couldn't be sure of seeing him. However he is clearly supervising. I think in your friend's situation she could ask her GP to make a specific referral to that surgeon for the initial consult. He could give her the info about his recommendations and the cost of doing it without private health insurance and if she then went public he could give no guarantee or even expectation that he would be the one she would see for the surgery but he could maybe do it anyway. I am very happy with my present situation and it is amazing to have the attention of the top doctors there for free as against the thousands in gap fees and other fees when I was private. She needs to do some research on the Cancer Care unit at that hospital and talk to a Breast Care nurse through this network for specific advice. All best wishes to you both.