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Willanna profile image
9 Replies

Hi all how long did it take people to get a hospital lung consultant ?diagnosed 4 years ago with copd never been referred.

Thanks

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Willanna profile image
Willanna
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9 Replies
Carnival567 profile image
Carnival567

If your doctor has not suggested it I suggest you ask. If you live in the U.K. you are entitled to one. Good luck xx

Spacecat1 profile image
Spacecat1

Best if havin problems go to your GP and he will get you referred back to your consultant. Hope goes well

Willanna profile image
Willanna in reply to Spacecat1

Lizzric I've never had a consultant at hospital just wondering as people keep asking me who my consultant is lol

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

If correctly diagnosis and well managed, there is probably no reason to see a consultant.

If you feel you condition is not managed or incorrectly diagnosed then ask for a referral.

A consultant will only answer questions that you put to him, he/she will not perform any extra test unless there is a clinical need to do so. Any referral such as X-rays, scans, full lung function test can equally be referred you GP.

Share your concerns if any with you GP.

Spacecat1 profile image
Spacecat1

I would go to your gpwith your worries and ask if he thinks if you should be referred.

Patsy164 profile image
Patsy164

Hi Willanna it took 2 different doctors for me to be referred but the second gp referred me and it turns out I have Bronchiectasis which took ages to diagnose. I agree you should be referred to a consultant there are X-rays, ct scans to be done and the many blood tests and of course suptum tests to get a clear picture. Be firm and request to be referred. Wishing you all the best and hope you don’t have a long wait. X

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

Hi I was diagnosed 10 years ago and several times have asked to be referred to a consultant. My doctors have angrily refused saying there is no reason why I need to be unless I have symptoms which are at odds to my diagnosis. They said I would not be seen by a consultant anyway but only by a member of their team who would wonder why I had been referred and I would be humiliated.

My doctors said they don't refer unless they can no longer handle my care. As I am only mild I never expect to be referred. Incidentally no one in the UK has the right to be referred to a consultant but only to ask for a 2nd opinion which might be one and it might not. Even then you might only see one of the consultants team and not them personally.

I think all lung disease should be treated the same as the other 2 big killers heart disease and cancer and be automatically be referred to a consultant for a diagnosis. This is one of the things BLF is fighting for. x

Tilantoe profile image
Tilantoe

My doc. Told me. Unless I was on the maximum of all treatments he could give me. And was not being controlled anymore he could not refer me. I had the copd diagnosed 14 years. I paid for a consult in the end. He could refer me for that!!

Patsy164 profile image
Patsy164

Hi, Willanna after reading Hypercat54's reply got me thinking perhaps we can't insist on being referred to a consultant. This is what I found on the NHS site:

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-se...

I think it is up to our doctor, I suppose at what stage you are at determines whether you are referred. Even if you went private you would still need a letter from your GP and if you went ahead without he can refuse to take their advice.

Please see below on demanding specific treatment:

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

Maybe a second opinion might be your best move.

Good Luck I hope this helps.

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