GP won't refer me

[Jess96]

I went to my GP today to ask to be referred to a specialist centre for my diagnostic laparoscopy. It was a very stressful situation of me talking about the specialist centres, and him strongly suggesting the general hospital. The conversation was going back and forth, and I've gotten nowhere.

A few years ago when I went asking for a referral to a specialist centre, he told me that he can't because it's a rule in Wales (I had just moved from England.) And today he was just advising me to have my lap at the general hospital. I feel so deflated and confused. Should I just abide and go with the general hospital, seeing as it might not even be endo? Or should I keep pushing for the specialist centre?

I feel so torn. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks. Jess.

[Lovisa]

If it's for a diagnostic lap then I don't think the BSGE will help as they only tend to deal with people who've already been diagnosed.

[Starry]

I had my diagnostic surgery at BSGE but was private (insured) and had already had a large recto vaginal nodule found by the GP, so my case was known to be deep infiltrating type that BSGE centres take, so I said I wanted the diagnostic by the same place as was going to have to treat me.

[Lulububs]

I had my lap at general hosp the bsge centres do not diagnose u usually only get sent there after u know for sure u got it and where u got it...

If u really want it to b there i would say only way is to see one of the specialists privately and ask him to put u on there bsge list but ur looking at along time whereas a lap in general hosp usually pretty quick..

[Jess96 in reply to Lulububs]

Were you happy with how the general hospital did your lap? If you don't mind me asking.

I've heard a lot of bad things about laps done by the general hospitals.

Thanks for your reply.

[Lulububs in reply to Jess96]

Yeh they were absolutely fantastic couldnt have been happier. I had a good gynaecologist that “ knew what endo was and knows where to look for it and even knew how to treat it” ( she was quite insulted that people go on about bsge clinics as all gynaes know endo especially the new younger ones) aless it was on a bladder or bowel then they wont touch it as u have to see the relevant specialist for that area!

I went in for pre op week before.

Then went in at 7.30 the days off op, had my own nurse, went down at 9 was back up by 10.15 and had tea and toast and laid in bed. Was given morphine and made comfy. Till i decided i was ready to go. The consultant came saw me before op and after. The aneathestist came saw me before. I have had a op in private and nhs general and only diff was i had my own room private... so dont worry

[Jess96 in reply to Lulububs]

Thank you so much. You have helped to ease my mind. I'm glad you had such a pleasant experience.

Did they do a good job with tackling the endo? How has your endo been since the lap?

[Lulububs in reply to Jess96]

Well thats the problem i didnt have endo ? I had all symtoms but my pain was ibs brought on by gluten and dairy intolerance. Gives u same symptoms unfortunately so i had a lap for nothing but hey we got there in the end!!

Ive not kicked gluten and dairy and no pain, no period pain when on it all gone .

Which that was thanks to the gynae who did my endo as she suggested that and made me see there gastro specialist!

[Heloo85]

Its against NHS protocol. You cannot be seen in a BSGE until youre diagnosed with endo. And only if its severe. Not anywhere in the UK. Only a general gynea can write a referal.

[Hidden]

I had a diagnostic lap carried out by a general gynae before my referral to a bsge centre. He had initially planned to treat the endo but left it when he realised how severe it was and all treatment was carried out by the bsge centre.

The bsge centres are only dealing with severe cases or with cases that haven't responded to treatment so they are selective in terms of who they will see. It may well be the case that general gynae can help you if it turns out that your disease is mild. Have you got reason to suspect severe disease?

[Hidden]

Have a look at the new NICE guidelines for endo, there is a simple algorithm for when referall should be made to a BSGE centre 😊