Does anyone know if there is a special gentleman's code used when it comes to seeing a colleagues patient? I'm struggling a little bit with a situation I find myself in mainly because of geography.
I had a hip arthroscopy in July 2013 for torn cartilage, which went well, and the surgeon said he'd follow up in two months time. Everything else went pear-shaped so I had to move 3 hours away from where I'd had the op, but I fully intended on going back for my follow-up. At around 2 months after the op, my hip gave way, and I felt like something went, and the old familiar pain returned. Knowing I was due to see him, I waited a couple of weeks, expecting to get an appointment through, but I never did. Since November I have tried to contact my surgeon through all possible means, and have even been told an appointment is in the post to me, but it wasn't. I eventually caught the secretary on the phone on Monday (I used a different number), who immediately started wittering about how busy they'd been, and how she was just about to pick up the phone to give me an appointment when I rang her. Because of the now 4 month wait, and the huge increase in my pain, I asked if the Dr could transfer my case/notes to a local specialist, as I couldn't make a 6 hour round trip in the pain I'm in. She said that wasn't possible until Dr had seen me for himself, and she wouldn't budge on that point.
I've spoken to the person who I want to see, and he is willing and waiting but needs a referral. Does it need to be from the previous surgeon so that he knows exactly what I had done, or would it be seen as bad form to cut out the old surgeon? Also, will the new Dr have enough with a GP letter simply saying I have historical hip problems that appear to have flared up again so could he see me? Or would the GP also need the consultant who thinks he's God to give a full recap so far? I really don't want to start off on the wrong foot with yet another doctor, but want it sorting in the quickest and least painful way.
Hi Alex I'm not sure about this one but if it was me I'd be pretty cheesed off with all the waiting I'd done regarding my hip for the old surgeon to see me. I would possibly speak about my concerns over this to my new GP and find out what they think that way you're not treading on anyone's toes
I once had a neurologist have a go at me about continuity of care because he was the 3rd neurologist I'd been sent to I hadn't done anything wrong but he took it out on me anyway!! No-one knows what another human is going to react like do they?
One other thing to possibly consider is that journey, is it worth making yourself ill and stressed to see the old surgeon? then as you say getting the advice etc would be handy but the new consultant will want to carry out x-rays etc anyway I would have thought so would be able to build a real-time present day case as to what your hip is like now
If any of that makes sense............ I mean in my head it does
xxxsianxxx fluffies to you and the shiny one xx
in reply to
It does make sense, don't worry. I think two peoples brain fog cancels out any confusingness (I just made that word up - I quite like it). I have a feeling old surgeon has suddenly gone proprietorial at the thought of someone inspecting his work, but maybe if he hadn't been too important to acknowledge me for 4 months (privately paying might I add...) then I wouldn't necessarily be needing to see anyone now. Eejit!
Hope you are ok today xxxxxxx
in reply to
I think that's what I was politely trying to say, private too, I wouldn't give him any more money hun good word I like it
I'm having vertigo issues and weebling n wobbling but am ok, thanks
Fine ta. Oh' your talking to someone else. To interrupt, if your first man discharges you back to the GP the GP can then refer you to someone else and the NHS tells us you can choose.
So the thing is to get discharged - that happens automatically if you miss an appointment where I come from. So as a first step go to your new GP explain the situation. They may be able to give you some interim relief.
No you would not need to build a new case as your current notes are "yours" Note the inverted commas.
The delay is unacceptable. I wonder if threatening to complain would be enough. It's the DOCTOR's decision not the overstuffed desk clerk. They do an important job but they CANNOT speak for the Doc.
For some reason the NHS does not understand travel difficulties of us mere mortals.
I think there is a private "gentleman's agreement" but not at all officially sanctioned. I'm sure it will turn into another scandal one day when they lose interest in the current batch. Hope that's useful. None of it will get you through a stonewall. I wonder if CAB or a patient's organisation could help.
Well Mr Badger, this case might turn into a professor-off heehee! Coz the prof guy that did my hip specialises in young (I know, questionable) athletic (even more questionable) hip injuries. Which means all his patients are under 40 and picked up their injuries participating in sport - show jumping in my case. I just so happen to have found that he isn't the only prof in the village as the hype says, coz there is another prof guy in Manchester with the same specialism, and that's who I'm hoping to see. Saying that, it's likely to be such a gentlemans club that I'll turn out to be beneath both of them, and they can have a good old chin wag about silly horsewomen over brandy and a cigar.
OMG yes. I remember needing to call out of hours on a Sunday and we got to the local private hosp. The Dr was more interested in what was happening on the golf course outside.
I agree about the club. I'd be surprised if they're not drinking partners from time to time. It's normal to specialise like that and may even help us patients.
I hope it works out for you.
Just remember if it wasn't for us plebs they could not have their mansions - and they both fart
I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I am so sorry to read that you have been drawn into such a dilemma as this. It is not an easy one to work out. I would, as zeb73 says, discuss the issue with your new GP.
If you don't get any luck with that, there is always the A&E route? Whereby it really hurts one day and you just have to go to A&E?
I sincerely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to this issue.
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