where can i get an x-ray & blood test done privately?
Discussion
i need a chest x-ray and a blood screening [HIV etc.] for the job I'm due to start in 4 weeks.
as the company initially required me to have a medical at the same time, had to register with a GP as i haven't had one for years now. after all the faff [3wks] of doing so, i now find they only do these on set dates and haven't been able to accomodate me within the past 3 weeks. latest is they don't know when the next clinic is and HR are badgering me to get this done.
i'm told i can skip the medical as long as i get the x-ray and blood test [visa requirement]. is it possible to have these done privately and if so, who can i go to? i am based in east yorks but am not bothered if i have to travel and i don't care how much i will be charged.
unfortunately i no longer have private medical cover.
as the company initially required me to have a medical at the same time, had to register with a GP as i haven't had one for years now. after all the faff [3wks] of doing so, i now find they only do these on set dates and haven't been able to accomodate me within the past 3 weeks. latest is they don't know when the next clinic is and HR are badgering me to get this done.
i'm told i can skip the medical as long as i get the x-ray and blood test [visa requirement]. is it possible to have these done privately and if so, who can i go to? i am based in east yorks but am not bothered if i have to travel and i don't care how much i will be charged.
unfortunately i no longer have private medical cover.
i keep stressing that they can charge me what they like, but they are next to useless. i can't even speak to the relevant GP's secretary directly, i have to leave a message with reception and wait until they get round to calling me back! i only registered to have the medical and chose them as they are 5mins from home, but they're f
king useless.
i'll ring nuffield and bupa, see if they can sort me out.
king useless.i'll ring nuffield and bupa, see if they can sort me out.
I can't self refer for an x-ray due to radiation regs or somesuch.
I can't self refer for a blood test as they will be responsible if I do something silly as a result of being told I have HIV.
In both cases, I can't sign a waiver. I find this bloody ridiculous to say the least.
One local private hospital has a resident GP on saturdays. IF he will see me without having to send for my records I can have both tests done on saturday morning. Just waiting a call back to let me know.
I can't self refer for a blood test as they will be responsible if I do something silly as a result of being told I have HIV.
In both cases, I can't sign a waiver. I find this bloody ridiculous to say the least.
One local private hospital has a resident GP on saturdays. IF he will see me without having to send for my records I can have both tests done on saturday morning. Just waiting a call back to let me know.
I saw a GP at Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon (same day appointment) with no need to get hold of my previous records. They charged an awful lot but I got the requests for blood tests and x-rays as needed and then got these done on the same day. Might be a bit far for you to travel though.
Does you company have an occupational health doctor? If so they could write the requests for you?
Does you company have an occupational health doctor? If so they could write the requests for you?
no, they used to have everything done in harley street but changed policy. to be fair it wouldn't have been an issue if I had a gp but I haven't been registered with one in about 10yrs.
the local private hospital has a gp in residence on saturdays. they said they'd call him in the morning and ring me before noon. assuming he'll refer me without seeing my records they can do everything I need on saturday.
the local private hospital has a gp in residence on saturdays. they said they'd call him in the morning and ring me before noon. assuming he'll refer me without seeing my records they can do everything I need on saturday.
an example of healthcare efficiency:
saw my gp tuesday. it took until yesterday evening to have a referral letter printed and signed as they lost the first one. even then it was signed on behalf of, not by, the doctor.
visited the private hospital at noon today. within 20minutes I had registered, paid for, and received a chest xray. all clear but they won't give me anything to say as much, I have to wait until my gp receives the pics in the post and get this from her.
I couldn't get the blood test as the referral didnt state what I wanted screening for. I only need a hiv test so the hospital rang my gp for a faxed letter only to be told they'd have to wait until monday.
having been taken aside by one of the managers (you get many onlookers when talking loudly about hiv!) it was explained that they must have the letter in order to proceed but once obtained it would be another 20min job and a 3day wait for the results. she also mentioned the signatory issue.
an hour later and I have the letter, signed by my GP, having driven to the gp and been extremely charming. back to the hospital for 4:30, only to be told I can't have the test as they need permission to do so by one of their consultants. both only attend the hospital only when needed. they phone them, I wait.
consultant A is uncontactable, has been for a couple of weeks apparently. he may be on holiday, they don't know.
consultant B won't agree to it as the test is visa related and he only deals with visas for the us, australia and new zealand. this drew a major wtf from me.
I complain that they did the xray without drama and didn't see where the problem was. the nurse agrees and the manager will call me tomorrow after taking advice from a higher power. in any case, best they could do is 7day turnaround on the screening and I'd need to visit my GP for the result.
with 5hrs of my day wasted, I call my HR contact in Dubai. It's the weekend there and from the background noise she is with her family. I explain the situation and she calls me back 10mins later. the result - I'm booked into a harley street practice on tuesday for a full medical, X-ray and blood test. no referral required and the results will be emailed out to Dubai by wednesday pm.
I try and figure that one out and fail, preferring an hour in the beer garden to relieve the frustration.
saw my gp tuesday. it took until yesterday evening to have a referral letter printed and signed as they lost the first one. even then it was signed on behalf of, not by, the doctor.
visited the private hospital at noon today. within 20minutes I had registered, paid for, and received a chest xray. all clear but they won't give me anything to say as much, I have to wait until my gp receives the pics in the post and get this from her.
I couldn't get the blood test as the referral didnt state what I wanted screening for. I only need a hiv test so the hospital rang my gp for a faxed letter only to be told they'd have to wait until monday.
having been taken aside by one of the managers (you get many onlookers when talking loudly about hiv!) it was explained that they must have the letter in order to proceed but once obtained it would be another 20min job and a 3day wait for the results. she also mentioned the signatory issue.
an hour later and I have the letter, signed by my GP, having driven to the gp and been extremely charming. back to the hospital for 4:30, only to be told I can't have the test as they need permission to do so by one of their consultants. both only attend the hospital only when needed. they phone them, I wait.
consultant A is uncontactable, has been for a couple of weeks apparently. he may be on holiday, they don't know.
consultant B won't agree to it as the test is visa related and he only deals with visas for the us, australia and new zealand. this drew a major wtf from me.
I complain that they did the xray without drama and didn't see where the problem was. the nurse agrees and the manager will call me tomorrow after taking advice from a higher power. in any case, best they could do is 7day turnaround on the screening and I'd need to visit my GP for the result.
with 5hrs of my day wasted, I call my HR contact in Dubai. It's the weekend there and from the background noise she is with her family. I explain the situation and she calls me back 10mins later. the result - I'm booked into a harley street practice on tuesday for a full medical, X-ray and blood test. no referral required and the results will be emailed out to Dubai by wednesday pm.
I try and figure that one out and fail, preferring an hour in the beer garden to relieve the frustration.
xr287 said:
I'm confused and frustrated just reading that. So why is this final place able to do it all no questions asked and the gp and private hospital aren't?
search me, though I have a hunch the answer may be £££.really quite annoyed I'll have to spend 7hrs travelling to london and back just because of red tape.
I think the answer is a private *GP* who can then refer you to the private hospital for whatever needs testing.
Basically, skip the NHS totally.
e.g.
http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/self-pay-treatme...
or presumably, the place you are going to on Harley St
Basically, skip the NHS totally.
e.g.
http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/self-pay-treatme...
or presumably, the place you are going to on Harley St
john_p said:
I think the answer is a private *GP* who can then refer you to the private hospital for whatever needs testing.
Basically, skip the NHS totally.
the gp is only involved for the referral and to deliver the result. as per my op, I can't self refer. the hospital (spire) is private and consultants a & b are private gp's. I can only assume consultant b is a moron for refusing to agree to the test taking place. the nurse was inclined to agree. Basically, skip the NHS totally.
mik - its part of my emigration process to the uae. these tests will be done again in country before my residence and employment visas are ok'd but the company obviously need to know I'll pass before I go (in 2 wks).
the only humour in yesterday's debacle came via my voicemail to hr. she presumed 'problem with blood test' meant it had come back positive!
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