Can you insist on a referral to a hospital/consultant?

[Mr Pointy]

768 said:

The Mad Monk said:

otherman said:

If you've never used private before, I think you'll be amazed at the difference.

Difference in cost? Yes.
Difference in speed of seeing people and speed of treatment? Yes.
Difference in quality of treatment? Probably not. Possibly worse.

The second of those can be a factor in the third. Quality otherwise is often no different because you're seeing the same person.

I asked which consultant/surgeon would be doing my operation & I was told that they couldn't say as it depended who was next in line to operate. Needless to say I wasn't keen on letting some unknown person loose on my eyes. This is in Berkshire if it makes any difference.

I'd be extremely happy to hear of any recommendations in either Berkshire or even London you may be able to make, by email if you prefer.

Edited by Mr Pointy on Saturday 17th November 14:06

[IanA2]

The Mad Monk said:

otherman said:

If you've never used private before, I think you'll be amazed at the difference.

Difference in cost? Yes.
Difference in speed of seeing people and speed of treatment? Yes.
Difference in quality of treatment? Probably not. Possibly worse.

And I would add, make sure there's a properly staffed and equipped ICU. Many private hospitals shunt people off to NHS ICU if it goes pear shaped.

To answer the original question, yes you can ask GP to book specific hospital. Indicate that you intend to take matter further if refused. If a referral is clinically

indicated, you can be sure the referral will be made.


ETA: Missing words

Edited by IanA2 on Sunday 18th November 08:34

[Sheepshanks]

Grahamdub said:

TheAngryDog said:

Question for the guys going private, do you have insurance to pay for that or are you just going to foot the bill?

I am on a company scheme. Definately had my money's worth !

Been in company schemes for 35 years but only used private health care in the last couple of years. At 61, the premium is hefty so the tax on it is getting significant.

[The Mad Monk]

Mr Pointy said:

ut you haven't given the whole story. Do you have astigmatism & did the lens offered correct it? Were both eyes assesed as being below the minimum standard? Were you offered femosecond laser treatment? Which area are you in?

Astigmatism - no.

Surrey.

[Joe M]

TheAngryDog said:

Hi Joe,

I guess it depends on your condition and if you have been referred to a named ent or just an ent.

I asked for my ent by name (he's the only person in the country currently who deals with my condition - patulous eustachian tube disorder). If you ask for a referral and name the specialist you want to see then it seems to work quicker.

Question for the guys going private, do you have insurance to pay for that or are you just going to foot the bill?

Just an NHS ent I presume, don't even know what the condition is yet so wouldn't know what specialist to look up...
Had BUPA previously, unfortunately changed companies and didn't continue, if I took it out now it would be a pre existing condition.

[anonymous-user]

I would suggest that some GP's can be upset at effectively being bypassed like this.

Funnily enough since I went private for something I haven't seen my regular doctor, previously it was always the same one, might be coincidence though.

[TheAngryDog]

Joe M said:

Just an NHS ent I presume, don't even know what the condition is yet so wouldn't know what specialist to look up...
Had BUPA previously, unfortunately changed companies and didn't continue, if I took it out now it would be a pre existing condition.

Do you mind if I ask what your symptoms are? As a long term ear / eustachian tube problem sufferer I am generally interested in people's symptoms with them.

[Tempest_5]

I had reason to use the private medical insurance I get through work earlier this year. I messed up my shoulder due to my brain using my body like it's 25 years old when it's twice that.

I was referred to the consultant by my GP, had a scan and was operated on all within 2 months. It was a totally different experience to an NHS hospital. A private room and apparently unstressed staff. I felt a bit guilty having seen friends and colleagues wait months for treatment, though it was pointed out I wasn't burdening the NHS this way.

BUPA have a self referral system which MAY allow you to get around the referral issue. It might be worth a google.

I live in deep gratitude to the NHS for looking after one of my children when they were seriously ill but the private health care experience was an eye opener.

Having said that, if I was having serious surgery I think I'd rather have it done in an NHS hospital where you have more back up if complications arise.

[llewop]

cut down to the points I wanted to add comments to...

Tempest_5 said:

I had reason to use the private medical insurance I get through work earlier this year.

...

Having said that, if I was having serious surgery I think I'd rather have it done in an NHS hospital where you have more back up if complications arise.

about 5 years ago did similar - had a referral from GP to consultant with NHS, but was some time away: saw same guy privately through work medical insurance, actually saw him for the third time on the day that I would have been due the NHS appointment!

unfortunately he wasn't able to get to the issue, so referred me to another consultant, who arranged a biopsy and other investigations privately, but when the next step on diagnosis and the actual conclusion; bounced things back into NHS as easier to manage that way.

Many of the consultants seem to do both NHS and private so sometimes doesn't change who you see, just when.

[otherman]

The Mad Monk said:

otherman said:

If you've never used private before, I think you'll be amazed at the difference.

Difference in cost? Yes.
Difference in speed of seeing people and speed of treatment? Yes.
Difference in quality of treatment? Probably not. Possibly worse.

You can't have used private if you're saying that. Quality of treatment is better right the way through. Private hospitals pre-screen for mrsa before admittance for instance, which NHS don't. And you'll see your chosen consulant, who'll also do any op needed, right the way through the treatment.

[Stan the Bat]

otherman said:

The Mad Monk said:

otherman said:

If you've never used private before, I think you'll be amazed at the difference.

Difference in cost? Yes.
Difference in speed of seeing people and speed of treatment? Yes.
Difference in quality of treatment? Probably not. Possibly worse.

You can't have used private if you're saying that. Quality of treatment is better right the way through. Private hospitals pre-screen for mrsa before admittance for instance, which NHS don't. And you'll see your chosen consulant, who'll also do any op needed, right the way through the treatment.

NHS does pre-screen for MRSA before admittance.

[TheAngryDog]

Stan the Bat said:

otherman said:

The Mad Monk said:

otherman said:

If you've never used private before, I think you'll be amazed at the difference.

Difference in cost? Yes.
Difference in speed of seeing people and speed of treatment? Yes.
Difference in quality of treatment? Probably not. Possibly worse.

You can't have used private if you're saying that. Quality of treatment is better right the way through. Private hospitals pre-screen for mrsa before admittance for instance, which NHS don't. And you'll see your chosen consulant, who'll also do any op needed, right the way through the treatment.

NHS does pre-screen for MRSA before admittance.

Plus ECG, heart rate, blood pressure and blood tests. Had a pre op on Wednesday.

Interestingly, the op I am having I cannot actually get private. My specialist will do not do it private as he doesn't think you should need to pay for it, so refers you back to the NHS. He has a 3 month waiting list for his op, but he can only do one procedure every 2 weeks due to the nature of the op and the equipment.