2nd opinion privately

[Miracle77]

Is it true that I can self refer for a gynae opinion privately. Someone here mentioned it but can't find the post. Can face 12 week wait for NHS endo clinic as struggling.

[Davina-Canning]

Heya, all I did was search for gyno doctors in my area who were more specialist and a name came up on the the North East where I live. So I phoned his hospital number and that's how he heard from me. I was in that much of a state from the pain I was trying not to cry on the phone. But it was there he explained what could happen for me and then I was booked in from there that is how the ball started rolling xxx

[Smileycat]

Yes you can contact directly to make an appointment.

Good luck

[victoria044]

Yes you can make an appointment with endo specialist for a consultation without gp referral, however you do have to pay for the consultation x

[MelT1968]

It's called choose and book you have to be over 18 to use the service, unfortunately at the time my daughter was not 18 so we had to pay privately, but I have used this service. We went to our normal Dr and said that we wanted to be refered under the choose and book service, the appointment was not immediate as although its a private provider its paid for by the NHS and I expect people that are paying for the private service are getting the immediate appointments which is understandable.

You are given a user name, password etc along with a list of providers you are then able to log onto the choose and book service and choose your provider, our service includes one private provider. This service is really good if you are working as you are able to book a time, date etc that suits you and offer Saturday appointments. Look at Choose and Book in the Internet it explains the service.

As already mentioned my daughter had to go under the NHS and the service she received was very good, she had a laparoscopy last March, but didn't get seen again until August and has been waiting since December for an appointment that only came through last week for 27/3, it is such a long wait when you are in pain. I hope this helps you, good luck.

[Brownlow in reply to MelT1968]

Hi Mel,

This is a little confusing. Choose and Book is by no means the private route and will not avoid nhs waiting times. Yes, some of the services are by private service providers if they have been commissioned by the Primary Care Trust in your area but that will not necessarily reduce waiting times for an appointment which is what Miracle77 is trying to achieve. The Choose and Book system software was devised and is run by a private company but to all intents and purposes it is an nhs tool.

Hi Miracle77,

You can absolutely go the private route. Ideally, I recommend that you do this with your GP. First choose who you want to see via the bsge list of endo specialists bsge.org.uk/ec-BSGE-accredi... It would obviously be best to see the specialist to which you have been already referred to on the nhs but only if they are an endo specialist. Then look them up online for their private practice details. Return to your GP and get them to write a referral letter to them. Then call the specialist's private practice and make an appointment. Ask for the fee cost too. You can of course just go straight ahead and make the appointment privately but keep your GP informed.

If you do choose this option then don't forget to cancel your nhs appointment for someone else to take.

[Miracle77]

Brownlow my current gynae has offered to refer me to endo specialist. My gp was going to write to try and speed up process but could wait up to 12 weeks for an appt. I know the endo spec does private & where and he is on BSGE list so thinking although I can't really afford it that it might be best as I'm going crazy with the pain and exhaustion. Close to getting into trouble at work too

[Brownlow in reply to Miracle77]

If I were you I'd take up your gynae's offer of a referral to the endo specialist privately. You will still need to ring for an appointment but make sure they have the referral letter before your appointment. Also keep your GP in the loop. Good luck. x