Referral policy

[Axolotl23]

Hi everyone! I am wondering if you are able to share your experience with referrals, etc. I mentioned previously that I am on an 80-week waiting list to see an Endo specialist (NHS). I guess it will be another 80 weeks to have laparoscopy. Basically, over three years of pain and worry..I am considering to see a private Endo specialist and ask them to put me on an NHS surgery list. My big question is: are they authorised to do this? Any advice would be greatly received!

[AllthatGlitters]

Yes you can pay for a private consultation and ask them to put you on NHS waiting list for scans / surgery. You can also ask them what category list you would be put onto, such as the urgent list as that gives you a timescale of how long you will wait. I’ve done all the above and it’s far quicker.

I was £200 for initial consultation at a private hospital x

[Axolotl23 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you very much! That's really helpful to know. I'll give it a go x

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Axolotl23]

Good luck and i hope you get seen very soon xx

[Busy23]

I'm currently going down the private route and approx time from appointment to scan if a couple of weeks.

[Sunset-lady]

Hi I paid and went private. Best £200 I ever spent apart from buying the dog 😀. I asked if he could transfer me to NHS for any treatment and he said yes but couldn't move me up any lists as that would be unethical - which is right of course. I'm still waiting to be referred to him via NHS but it will be another year x

[JOSANDY40]

Anything worth a try. If you know or find from your doctor will send you. You could go there to find the names of the Endo Specialists that see cases at the Endo Clinic? Yes a Endo Clinic not just a Gynae Specialist! So check that first! Once you have the names of the Endo Clinic Specialist then phone the Hostipal speak to the Clinics Secretary to get the name of the Private Secretary no. arrange a private appointment. Once you have achieved that. At the appointment you wish to attend the NHS Clinic by then you should have your NHS Hostipal Number by then? Probably saving 3 mths of waiting. My Specialist in her Private Clinic charges about £240.

Good Luck.

[Lindle]

Please be aware that a lap is no longer the gold standard for diagnosis. A scan needs to be done first so that any cases of severe disease can be identified and referred straight to a tertiary specialist endo centre. The problem is that the sonographers in general gynae aren’t usually trained to look for deep endo.

If you think you might have severe disease then the best approach if you do have some funds is to pay for an expert scan and if you do have deep disease you can then at least get into the endo centre pathway on the NHS. Your GP could then refer you with a letter enclosing the scan result. Or you could pay for a private consult with a surgeon at a centre who could then arrange a scan and refer you that way if you have severe disease. You can’t jump the queue but at least it can get you in the right system.

[Axolotl23 in reply to Lindle]

Thank you for such a detailed reply 😊 I had various scans and was referred to Endo Clinic. My current waiting time is 80 weeks - just to be seen by a specialist. I know I need a surgery so am thinking that it would be at least 3.5 years before I have it. That is a long time.. so simply looking for ways to be treated earlier than that..

[Lindle in reply to Axolotl23]

What a nightmare it all is…

[Rookery17]

Hi I was told 18months I was having an mot and endometriosis was discovered he referred me via nhs but said the waiting list are long your prob find it's the same doctors they work both nhs and private I decided on going private which cost me near on 6000 for the laparoscopy and hydroscopy I saw the same Dr/ surgeon on both private and nhs which is crazy as I still had follow ups via the nhs I hope ur not waiting to long but jus wanted to give u idea on private price

[MangoStickyRice in reply to Rookery17]

Crikey that’s a lot of money, especially as Endo can be prone to coming back. Wish there were more paths to help fast help