Referral help

[Lincoln67]

Just looking for advice/guidance for anybody that might have done the same.

I spoke to a few people on here recently about the idea of paying privately for the initial consultation (currently at 10 month waiting list at my local endo centre) and then once that’s complete, if an operation is required, being referred to the NHS waiting list (obviously at the back).

I’ve rang multiple private consultants and they’ve told me this is not possible and they cannot refer back to the nhs, I’d need the nhs initial consultation anyway. I’m so deflated. Has anyone done this?

[Moon_maiden]

They can, I’ve done it several times including gynae.

When I first phoned up about an appointment with gynae I checked if I could go on NHS list and he gave me that option at the appointment. I dd choose to go private for op and then NHS as needed hysterectomy as too much going on when he looked inside. He took some Endo away.

I’ve done this recently with vascular surgeon, had private, he said I could go on NHS list as long as GP would refer, they still need this bit.

At least going private you can see someone you like the look of and has the right knowledge. Maybe try wording it that they’d be happy to see you under NHS with a GP referral, or something like that.

[Bondi64]

i work for private healthcare and you can

If you wish to book a consultation with a private endo specialist- do consultation + mri - get your diagnosis and pay as you go- just google specialist in your area ( i got my diagnosis in two weeks)

Its then up to you if you wanted more help through private… or go to your gp and ask to see an nhs specialist to discuss treatment options

[Lincoln67 in reply to Bondi64]

My scenario is I was referred by the gp to gyne, I lucked out here and ended up being seen at a private hospital nearby but on the nhs. We had two consultations and an mri, he was keen to operate but after the mri said I’d need to be seen by an endo centre as will need a bowel and bladder surgeon present.

Back to the gp who have referred me to the endo centre nearby. 8/10 month wait for the consultation and around the same time again for the operation apparently. What I wanted was to see a private consultant (and pay) and then be referred for the operation on the nhs. But everyone, I’ve rang about 5 different people, is telling me this isn’t possible.

I don’t know if my circumstances might just change this? I’m confused!

[Sunset-lady]

I did the same as others. Once I saw the consultant and he put me on zoladex he wrote to my NHS consultant (not an endo specialist) and said "I'm prescribing zoladex so give it her in your clinic and then refer her to me" so my previous consultant did that. It took another 9 months to see the endo specialist at his clinic but at least I had started the zoladex.

[Giraffe73]

Hi, I am sorry your feeling deflated it's a long road, stay strong and keep pushing forward.

I have done exactly that, had NHS surgery last monday. I already had my diagnosis from an NHS laparoscopy, but the consultant was a general gynae and I needed a little more specialist support to be able to make the right decision for me. I saw a private Endo consultant(who works across both private & NHS) that I chose after research of my symptoms/diagnosis and looked at his expertise. I went to see him armed with everything I had, applied for the imaging from scans and my previous surgery, letters from consultants so he had something to go on. We went through my symptoms in detail and he helped me to make my decision. He was able to transfer me back to his NHS wait list. He is a consultant that works across both NHS & private (same consultant!)

I wish you well and hope you get some answers soon. Sending lots of love and support.

[Lincoln67 in reply to Giraffe73]

This is so frustrating because this is exactly what I’m trying to do!! The people I’ve asked work both nhs and private for the same thing. I want the consultation private (I’ll pay) and then referral for the treatment on the NHS and they’re telling me it’s not possible. It’s literally the same person in both hospitals. But they’ve said I’d still need the consultation on the nhs so it won’t save any time at all. I can pay and have a consultation next week but if I need to wait 8 months to be seen on the nhs for referral for treatment, it feels like a waste of money!

Do you mind me asking what county you’re in? I wonder if that makes a difference.

I wonder if they’re just telling me this front end to see it I’ll go private for the op and they can make money from me. It’s all so confusing.

Thanks so much for your reply, it really helps knowing it’s possible!

[Giraffe73 in reply to Lincoln67]

Hampshire/Surrey area

[Lincoln67 in reply to Giraffe73]

Sorry for all the questions. On the NHS, did you have your operation at an endo specialist centre or just the normal hospital with gyne? I’m wondering if that’s where I’m falling down!

[Giraffe73]

No problem.

My original laparoscopy was General gynae at my local hospital.

The surgery I've just had was done at a hospital with an Endo centre with a consultant who works throughout the endo centre in NHS.

[Lincoln67 in reply to Giraffe73]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I’ve had a very productive (or unproductive depending who’s looking) morning at work ringing round different hospitals. Seems it’s just my local immediate area that have an issue. I’ve got an appointment this Thursday in Southampton!!! I can’t believe it. I cried when she said it was something they do all the time and she could fit me in this week.

[Giraffe73 in reply to Lincoln67]

So pleased for you. Wishing you all the very best.

[Eeshpeesh1994]

Hi. I've done this for myself, in fact we were at an absolute loss we found out specialist through the charity and a friend. We booked a private appointment ourselves, had the initial consultation, further MRI and follow up done within 4 weeks (I already had a lot previous hospital stuff to bring along). The difficulty might be what stage you're at and whether and a BSGE centre will take you on. I was transferred straight to our specialists NHS list and have had several appointments since, currently awaiting excision surgery which is a wait but the best thing we did was pay to be seen quicker and make a plan.

[Eeshpeesh1994 in reply to Eeshpeesh1994]

Just to add our specialist talked us through how to get the GP to refer on to the NHS list following my results etc. It's a bit faffy but you can definitely do it