Thumb problem how to get seen quicker
Discussion
Hi guys
I have a telephone appointment with my GP next week for a thumb problem I’ve been having for about 6 months and it’s got progressively worse to now impacting on everyday activities.
Now I don’t know what the doctors approach will be but I suspect referring me to some physio / x ray. Now the wait could be ages, is there a way to speed this up like pay for a specialist for the first diagnostic and then back onto the NHS for follow up to skip the initial waiting time?
I have a telephone appointment with my GP next week for a thumb problem I’ve been having for about 6 months and it’s got progressively worse to now impacting on everyday activities.
Now I don’t know what the doctors approach will be but I suspect referring me to some physio / x ray. Now the wait could be ages, is there a way to speed this up like pay for a specialist for the first diagnostic and then back onto the NHS for follow up to skip the initial waiting time?
I had carpal tunnel syndrome a while back (pre Covid) and waiting times were silly then. The doctor diagnosed it instantly, but then there would have been a long wait for any kind of follow up, so I went private. I did explain to my NHS doctor that it was severely impacting my ability to work (IT, so always on a keyboard), but that made no difference whatsoever.
The_Doc said:
Yes.
There are transparent and fair rules for switching between private and NHS sectors for any stage of your treatment.
Just because you pay for part of it, you shouldn't and won't be disadvantaged for ongoing NHS treatment portions. You can only accelerate the bits you pay for.
Good info, would gp’s have the contact details for private options for each stage of treatment? There are transparent and fair rules for switching between private and NHS sectors for any stage of your treatment.
Just because you pay for part of it, you shouldn't and won't be disadvantaged for ongoing NHS treatment portions. You can only accelerate the bits you pay for.
I’ll have to get the info from him on each stage otherwise the Google it I suppose!?
Red9zero said:
I had carpal tunnel syndrome a while back (pre Covid) and waiting times were silly then. The doctor diagnosed it instantly, but then there would have been a long wait for any kind of follow up, so I went private. I did explain to my NHS doctor that it was severely impacting my ability to work (IT, so always on a keyboard), but that made no difference whatsoever.
I’m an industrial mechanic so if it gets worse I’d have to go on the sick or light duties, but I can imagine there are plenty of people in the same boat tbhGooose said:
Good info, would gp’s have the contact details for private options for each stage of treatment?
I’ll have to get the info from him on each stage otherwise the Google it I suppose!?
I’ll have to get the info from him on each stage otherwise the Google it I suppose!?
It is usually the same person in both NHS and private, making hopefully a seamless transition, minus the waiting in the NHS. The private specialist writes to himself in the NHS to handover, if you want this.
Ask your GP who they recommend in the private sector. It used to be that GPs could give good recommendation as they were embedded in communities and saw the results. Now not so much. An NHS specialist's NHS reputation feeds/drives his her private business. If you are terrible then your private practice will be too.
I recently went to my GP with a persistent dull ache in my groin - right at the very bottom of my torso where my legs join. GP calls it the 'barbie line'. I suspected possible prostate issues - had those tests and all checked out fine. GP suggested it could be hernia related and referred me for ultrasound scan - waiting list several months. I decided to self fund a private scan - carried out within 7 days - and back to the GP for further consultation. Two very small hernias diagnosed - no action needed, just be careful and if things get worse go back to GP. Everything was seamless and GP appreciated private consultation easing the NHS workload. All done and dusted within 6 weeks from start to finish.
Edit: I decided on which private hospital to use and GP referred me to the consultant. No treatment would have been forthcoming without the GP referral.
Edit: I decided on which private hospital to use and GP referred me to the consultant. No treatment would have been forthcoming without the GP referral.
Edited by C70GT on Monday 26th September 22:16
akirk said:
whereabouts are you in the country, I know a good private surgeon here in Bristol…
(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
I live in south wales so about 1 1/2 hours away from Bristol so it’s an option if I need something major!(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
Bill said:
Have you tried a private physio yet? Seems like the obvious (not to mention cheapest) starting point.
No not yet, I’ve had mixed results with physios in the past. They can’t see inside the body at the end of the day, and also if the first referral they offer is something like an X-ray then I would rather see what the wait times for this is straight away.Also I don’t know if all physios can link themselves to NHS treatment, so if I went to a private physio could they write to the gp advising treatment? I suspect the physio would like someone to check my x ray / MRI before making a diagnosis. I can’t really see how it all joins together really, questions to ask the gp
X-rays and scans aren't needed in the vast majority of cases, and even then the first line is often physio anyway. Just like any professional there are good, bad and indifferent, and sometimes conditions aren't amenable to treatment, but it's still generally better to start at the least invasive intervention.
The only problem I found going private, and it's not just this case, is that they do seem to rush into a diagnosis. I guess the NHS have to consider costs a bit more, whereas private just seems to dive straight in with an op. My issue seemed to be carpal tunnel, but after two ops I still had symptoms, so a few more tests were done and the problem was found to be the other end of the nerve (apologies, I don't remember the medical terms) and was a damaged disc in my spine.
Gooose said:
akirk said:
whereabouts are you in the country, I know a good private surgeon here in Bristol…
(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
I live in south wales so about 1 1/2 hours away from Bristol so it’s an option if I need something major!(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
she has given me a couple of very good recommendations for your area - I will PM you
EDIT - well I would if you allowed emails
Let me know how to get in contact with you (you can email me) and I will pass on the details...
akirk said:
Gooose said:
akirk said:
whereabouts are you in the country, I know a good private surgeon here in Bristol…
(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
I live in south wales so about 1 1/2 hours away from Bristol so it’s an option if I need something major!(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
she has given me a couple of very good recommendations for your area - I will PM you
EDIT - well I would if you allowed emails
Let me know how to get in contact with you (you can email me) and I will pass on the details...
Gooose said:
akirk said:
Gooose said:
akirk said:
whereabouts are you in the country, I know a good private surgeon here in Bristol…
(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
I live in south wales so about 1 1/2 hours away from Bristol so it’s an option if I need something major!(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
she has given me a couple of very good recommendations for your area - I will PM you
EDIT - well I would if you allowed emails
Let me know how to get in contact with you (you can email me) and I will pass on the details...
anyway, email received and reply sent!
akirk said:
Gooose said:
akirk said:
Gooose said:
akirk said:
whereabouts are you in the country, I know a good private surgeon here in Bristol…
(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
I live in south wales so about 1 1/2 hours away from Bristol so it’s an option if I need something major!(my wife is a consultant hand surgeon, but NHS only - her colleague does private as well…)
she has given me a couple of very good recommendations for your area - I will PM you
EDIT - well I would if you allowed emails
Let me know how to get in contact with you (you can email me) and I will pass on the details...
anyway, email received and reply sent!
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff