Didn't he just open up a space in the NHS waiting line? Is this using private insurance? It's what most of us are stuck with in the US - and the companies gouge incredibly on their prices. My Canadian cousin recently remarked that while the Canadian health system has a generally good reputation, it is slow and appointments are pushed way out for procedures considered "non-essential." She recently flew to the US state of Colorado for knee replacement surgery (she can afford it) because she was tired of being put off. She didn't mess up anyone else's appointment by doing that.