Is my echocardiogram viewable by other medics?

[Classicfan49]

I was diagnosed with heart failure in February and referred to our local cardiology department. I had an echocardiogram on 7th March and the results in early April. Severe tricuspid regurgitation -and I’ll be seen in clinic “in due course”.

I’ve phoned the cardiology department where I’m told I’ll be waiting about 30 weeks from referral but Appointments can give me a more accurate answer. I phoned Appointments yesterday and despite my being very clear that what I wanted was “some indication as to how long the waiting list was” some woman reading from her script told me 3 times that unfortunately they can’t give precise times and dates for appointments but that when there’s availability I’ll get a letter. Three times she parroted this. Eventually, she told me that before the pandemic it was 18 weeks but that now it could be up to a year.

I just want to talk to an expert about my results, what I can do to help myself and what the eventual way forward might be. So, if I book a private appointment with a different cardiologist (mine doesn’t do private work) will he/she be able to access my echocardiogram?

[Hidden]

Hello to you,

The short answer is yes they can see your results as long as you give the permission needed, your results are yours and you can ask for copies at anytime.

but to be honest with you if you went private they would probably want there own tests done as well, not many cardiologist’s go on just one result.

Hope you get your answers

Take care

[Desanthony in reply to Hidden]

I’ve asked for copies of

Scans and reports to be put on CD - had to provide CD and pay about £10.00 then got referral from GP to see a private cardio/EP and sent the CD on ahead. He did not need any other tests just viewed the CD and then saw me and examined me at a full half hour apppintment. agreed with me that medication should be changed though my usual cardiologist had prescribed a medication that had given me bad side effects in the past saying I wouldn’t get the side effects this time! How she worked that out I don’t know. Cost. £250 worth every penny.

[Classicfan49 in reply to Desanthony]

That is so useful thank you. All I need now is an appointment with my GP. Not easy, but I’ll have a go tomorrow.

[Desanthony in reply to Classicfan49]

Best of luck.

[Cruiser25]

Hi Classicfan49,I like you, wanted my results of my Echo and having waited the 2 weeks for the results to be received my my consultant (echo was conducted by outside contractor), I simply called his medical secretary and asked. I the end though I requested them be copied and sent to me at home, I have two now, 1 from immediately after my HA and the second 3 months later.

I received only a very brief 3 line comment on my results, but yes, sometimes we need to be a little "troublesome" and ask.

I must say, they work incredibly hard with impossible backlogs, so I was very careful to recognise this during my phone calls, a little compliment and understanding can go a long way. Hopefully you'll get the information and reassurance you need soon, good luck.

[10gingercats]

I would be interested in knowing what your cardio. says about your severe tricuspid regurgitation.I have been diagnosed with this. Mine got progressively worse over years and surgery for this is not widely done in the uk. They do it sometimes if they are operating for another heart condition. although they are beginning to use clips on younger patients to close the valve .So far many years from diagnosis on I lead a pretty normal life.I take a few meds. but none for the tricuspid condition. I exercise daily and walk for up to 1 hour .

[Doodlegurl]

I went private and the Consultant couldn’t see my Echo results as it was a different Health Authority, I’m under Derbyshire and went to see a Consultant in South Yorkshire but I did a self referral through my insurance, if I’d got a referral from my GP my records would have been made available. It didn’t matter as he sent me for some tests anyway so he could see my current state of health.

[Classicfan49]

Thanks to all who responded. I’m going to get in touch with my GP practice to get hold of the report.

[Staffsgirl]

I was recently in this situation and the private EP could access my records. I was, however, surprised that my permission wasn’t asked. It seemed a very simple process for the EP to gain access.