2nd opinion

[Peddling]

Saw my husbands GP yesterday and asked if he (husband) could be referred to another NHS cardiologist for a second opinion. The GP said we had to dismiss/finish with the current one first before we could be referred on. Is this correct? and if not, which organisation do I speak to to convince the GP?

[BobD Volunteer]

I understand that you can be treated by whoever you wish.

[Barry24]

I fully agree with Bob, it is up to you who you see. I decided myself to get a second opinion and made all the arrangements myself via the PA of the EP. Details of the EP's

are on the main AFA website. Make sure you take with you any ECGs you have and

a medical history to help your EP.

Best Wishes

Barry

[Peddling in reply to Barry24]

Was that NHS Barry, or private?

[Barry24]

Private.

[checkmypulse]

Gp must refer you if YOU wish, if he insists you need to cancel the first one get GP to send letter to first one saying you wish to cancel further treatment with him/them.

[AnticoagulateNow]

I was with a cardiologist who, at a time when I was leaning towards ablation therapy, clearly had a thing against ablations. "I wouldn't allow anyone to shred the inside of my heart if I had AF" he would say.

I went to my GP and said that I wanted to see an EP (I had researched one for myself) and was referred straight away. If your current cardiologist is not an EP that may be your easiest option with the minimum of hassle. You want the specialist for your condition and at the moment you don't have that - you could say.

But even if your present consultant is an EP, if you want to go elsewhere, it is your right. And that's without having to pay privately for it. Stick to your demands.

By the way, my shredded heart doesn't have AF anymore!

Good luck.

[Hidden]

I saw a second cardiologist privately and stuck with him. It may sound a bit old fashioned but you have to feel he/she is on your wavelength and you are getting meaningful replies to your questions.

So don't finish with the NHS one and see the private one before you take any decision provided you have copies of your ECG etc.

[Barry24]

Hi orchardworker,

I on the same wavelength as you, exactly what I did.

Best Wishes

Barry

[Judy174]

BMA Information about specialist or try NHS choices webpage. Is it you or your husband who wants a second opinion, that might make a difference. You can also copy the answer on the BMA site and show that to your doctor

[NiceNana]

I was not happy with the cardiologist I was seeing at the local hospital so asked my GP to refer me to an EP. I was lucky that the GP was only young and on the ball. She told me that there were 2 hospitals in the area that I could go to, and asked me if I had a preference. She then referred me to the one that she thought was preferable, no problem.

[Peddling]

Thanks for all your replies. I looked at the NHS choices site and they strongly indicate my right to a second opinion. We already have a cardiologist in sight and wanted to see him privately with a view to being on his Nhs caseload. His Secretary said that would be the best way to do it. The local GP referred privately but said that because of 'costings' they had been told to make only one referral. I intend to pursue that with the CCG. This is my husband's GP., different practice to me. I had no difficulty at all, in fact I am now on my third choice referral.

[Peddling]

PS I hadn't asked him to make a private referral.