Help with referral from GP
Discussion
This is a search for knowledge rather than a rant about NHS GPs. I do appreciate they are overworked and under-supported etc.
I have been having terrible lower back pain and saw the GP yesterday. He appeared concerned when I said the pain had been getting increasing worse over the past 3 months (but his reaction may be subjective). He asked me to arrange a blood test (Kidneys, PSA and some others I didn't know) with reception so he can work out the next steps. I went to reception on my way out and the earliest available appointment was a month away.
I'm worried, and in pain, so decided to investigate a private blood test. I spoke to a local private hospital and they requested details of the blood test directly from my GP. It's not a referral as I'm willing to pay. It's just to speed up the process.
My GP has refused to fill out their form. The administrator at the hospital said she'd never seen a refusal before. I initially thought this was GDPR etc but apparently that's not the issue. The GP flatly refuses to help and claims it's not urgent and I should wait. Surely, me going private enables the practice to offer that blood test appointment to another patient.
Does anyone know if they can do this? It feels bizarre and immoral to me.
I now need to pay for a private GP appointment and then a private blood test........ or wait and worry.
I have been having terrible lower back pain and saw the GP yesterday. He appeared concerned when I said the pain had been getting increasing worse over the past 3 months (but his reaction may be subjective). He asked me to arrange a blood test (Kidneys, PSA and some others I didn't know) with reception so he can work out the next steps. I went to reception on my way out and the earliest available appointment was a month away.
I'm worried, and in pain, so decided to investigate a private blood test. I spoke to a local private hospital and they requested details of the blood test directly from my GP. It's not a referral as I'm willing to pay. It's just to speed up the process.
My GP has refused to fill out their form. The administrator at the hospital said she'd never seen a refusal before. I initially thought this was GDPR etc but apparently that's not the issue. The GP flatly refuses to help and claims it's not urgent and I should wait. Surely, me going private enables the practice to offer that blood test appointment to another patient.
Does anyone know if they can do this? It feels bizarre and immoral to me.
I now need to pay for a private GP appointment and then a private blood test........ or wait and worry.
simontrent said:
This is a search for knowledge rather than a rant about NHS GPs. I do appreciate they are overworked and under-supported etc.
I have been having terrible lower back pain and saw the GP yesterday. He appeared concerned when I said the pain had been getting increasing worse over the past 3 months (but his reaction may be subjective). He asked me to arrange a blood test (Kidneys, PSA and some others I didn't know) with reception so he can work out the next steps. I went to reception on my way out and the earliest available appointment was a month away.
I'm worried, and in pain, so decided to investigate a private blood test. I spoke to a local private hospital and they requested details of the blood test directly from my GP. It's not a referral as I'm willing to pay. It's just to speed up the process.
My GP has refused to fill out their form. The administrator at the hospital said she'd never seen a refusal before. I initially thought this was GDPR etc but apparently that's not the issue. The GP flatly refuses to help and claims it's not urgent and I should wait. Surely, me going private enables the practice to offer that blood test appointment to another patient.
Does anyone know if they can do this? It feels bizarre and immoral to me.
I now need to pay for a private GP appointment and then a private blood test........ or wait and worry.
Sadely I am having similar problems, where my GP surgery (after outsourcing me to an NHS hub) decided not to OK the CT brain scan which the hub GP had recommended. Fortunately the local NHS group which overseas all the GP surgeries in my area, found out and have told them to sign it off and for me to phone them on Thursday to make sure they have done it. I have also had previous problems where they have refused to authorise a full set of bloods following a visit to a private hospital.I have been having terrible lower back pain and saw the GP yesterday. He appeared concerned when I said the pain had been getting increasing worse over the past 3 months (but his reaction may be subjective). He asked me to arrange a blood test (Kidneys, PSA and some others I didn't know) with reception so he can work out the next steps. I went to reception on my way out and the earliest available appointment was a month away.
I'm worried, and in pain, so decided to investigate a private blood test. I spoke to a local private hospital and they requested details of the blood test directly from my GP. It's not a referral as I'm willing to pay. It's just to speed up the process.
My GP has refused to fill out their form. The administrator at the hospital said she'd never seen a refusal before. I initially thought this was GDPR etc but apparently that's not the issue. The GP flatly refuses to help and claims it's not urgent and I should wait. Surely, me going private enables the practice to offer that blood test appointment to another patient.
Does anyone know if they can do this? It feels bizarre and immoral to me.
I now need to pay for a private GP appointment and then a private blood test........ or wait and worry.
simontrent said:
I spoke to a local private hospital and they requested details of the blood test directly from my GP. It's not a referral as I'm willing to pay. It's just to speed up the process.
If you're willing to pay you can get any blood test you want. Personally I'd book a private specialist, they will sort out the appropriate test/s.Collectingbrass said:
If it's a month to get an appointment for the practice nurse to draw the blood samples you should be able to get the blood tests done at your local NHS hospital on a walk up (& wait...) basis, you just need a form from your GP
The GP is refusing to supply any forms. They insist I wait.popeyewhite said:
If you're willing to pay you can get any blood test you want. Personally I'd book a private specialist, they will sort out the appropriate test/s.
I’m not able to get blood tests unless directed by a doctor. Apparently this is due to authorising but also interpreting the results. I am able to pay an additional amount to see a private doctor for them to then approve me to pay again for bloods. This process is not fit for purpose.
It feels similar to refusing for a parent to take their child out of a state school to an independent one. I assume that would never happen!
This issue is about funding, and probably liability thereafter.
If the issue is to be sorted out privately then take it down that root. The large hospital groups (Circle, spire, etc) are refusing to allow patients to fund clinic appointments with consultants and then have further surgery, tests etc take place under NHS payments. The difference here is that the shoe is on the other foot.
It might sound petulent anf shortsighted, but it is probably being driven by the CCG.
If the issue is to be sorted out privately then take it down that root. The large hospital groups (Circle, spire, etc) are refusing to allow patients to fund clinic appointments with consultants and then have further surgery, tests etc take place under NHS payments. The difference here is that the shoe is on the other foot.
It might sound petulent anf shortsighted, but it is probably being driven by the CCG.
Can you get the blood tests done at your local hospital? They’ll be processed in the laboratory there anyway.
For any of the bloods I order patients have the option to walk into outpatient phlebotomy 8:30-17:00 Monday - Friday and 9:00 - 13:00 Saturday morning. There was even a drive through service locally during COVID Lockdowns. Very few still choose to wait for an appointment in the surgery now.
For any of the bloods I order patients have the option to walk into outpatient phlebotomy 8:30-17:00 Monday - Friday and 9:00 - 13:00 Saturday morning. There was even a drive through service locally during COVID Lockdowns. Very few still choose to wait for an appointment in the surgery now.
Sauce said:
Can you get the blood tests done at your local hospital? They’ll be processed in the laboratory there anyway.
For any of the bloods I order patients have the option to walk into outpatient phlebotomy 8:30-17:00 Monday - Friday and 9:00 - 13:00 Saturday morning. There was even a drive through service locally during COVID Lockdowns. Very few still choose to wait for an appointment in the surgery now.
There is no longer a walk in service at any of our hospitals in Kent, you have to use the online booking service for the relevant NHS hub. They then give you a booking reference which you use when arriving at the clinic.For any of the bloods I order patients have the option to walk into outpatient phlebotomy 8:30-17:00 Monday - Friday and 9:00 - 13:00 Saturday morning. There was even a drive through service locally during COVID Lockdowns. Very few still choose to wait for an appointment in the surgery now.
As an update, I raised a question (not complaint) to the GP practice. They have treated it as a formal complaint and followed their standard procedure.
Today I received a reply simply implying that I am mistaken. They claim they did not refuse to complete the form, they just needed 2 weeks to do it!
Their reply was a subtle "shut up and f' off". What started as a concerned patient willing to pay to get results, has now turned into a ridiculous "he said, she said". I'll let it drop but it leaves a terrible taste.
Today I received a reply simply implying that I am mistaken. They claim they did not refuse to complete the form, they just needed 2 weeks to do it!
Their reply was a subtle "shut up and f' off". What started as a concerned patient willing to pay to get results, has now turned into a ridiculous "he said, she said". I'll let it drop but it leaves a terrible taste.
Edited by simontrent on Monday 5th December 20:10
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