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So stressed and frustrated. Abnormal DRE, abnormal PSA, yet NHS urology referral rejected twice!

JFC87 profile image
24 Replies

My GP showed me the referral he made. It has all the information. But the hospital refuses to help saying inadequate information has been provided and they rejected the referral.I have back pain and retention problems. I also have other urinary symptoms.

I am really lost and don't know what to do. The GP has tried twice with no luck.

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JFC87 profile image
JFC87
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24 Replies
NickJoy profile image
NickJoy

If you have the money go privately and then transfer back into the NHS if anything is needed - which i hope is not the case - or can u contact the hospital directly and ask what they want? Or could your GP do this?

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toNickJoy

The hospital just keeps saying clinical information was not provided. They say they can't help me further. The GP did show the referral to me and he has provided this information. Don't know what to do. Can't afford private healthcare unfortunately.

NickJoy profile image
NickJoy in reply toJFC87

How about contacting prostate cancer uk - they have nurses online who try to help - they may have an idea as to how to deal with it?

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toNickJoy

I did contact them. They had suggested that the second referral be made after the first was rejected. However, it was rejected again even though the GP provided more detailed information the second time.

NickJoy profile image
NickJoy

How absolutely bonkers - I think the GP her/himself needs to contact the hospital and ask them exactly what they want. Surely they are fully entitled to be annoyed by the rejection and make enquiries? Maybe u could contact prostate cancer uk again and explain what has happened and see if they have any better ideas? Sorry I haven't got anything more helpful - could u ask PCUK if they have the format which should be used and check if GP has followed it properly?

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toNickJoy

Will check with PCUK about that, thank you. The GP said he's done everything the right way but somehow it's not working out. The hospital is not being very helpful. The GP surgery showed me the e-referral and there's nothing wrong with it, so it's not clear why they think it's not enough. Will ask my GP if he can contact the hospital to check.

Brysonal profile image
Brysonal

what was your PSA ? I thought a GP referral led to NHS choices where you to pick where you went to.

Did the GP enclose the PSA result?

anything over 3.5 needs an MPMRI scan to get a PIRAd score to determine if you need a biopsy is my memory

Unless a UTI is implicated? I remember being very hopefully the ‘pee pot’ would show a simple infection when my PSA came in at 3.56 so just a bit high. No infection so diagnostics followed.

Shouldn’t have to be could try A and E route as you are symptomatic?

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toBrysonal

The PSA was 11. I was referred to my local hospital using the e-referral system both times. I don't know if A&E will help in this situation. It's very frustrating and my GP doesn't know what else to do.

Brysonal profile image
Brysonal

did the GP test for an infection?

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toBrysonal

He did, yes. The surgery was quite reluctant to do the DRE but then did it when they found no infections.

NickJoy profile image
NickJoy

Another thought- could u set up an appointment with the Man Van which is run out of the Royal Marsden? I suspect u might need a London address but maybe u could say u are a temporary visitor- they might be able to put things into action quickly. Also, could try writing to one of the Dr's on PCUK and see if they can do anything.

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toNickJoy

Thank you. Could you please tell me more about the Royal Marsden thing? I haven't heard of it.

NickJoy profile image
NickJoy

royalmarsden.nhs.uk/your-ca...

Sort of like the blood donation scheme but for testing men I think.

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toNickJoy

Thank you. I'm going to apply for this as nothing else seems to be working out.

NickJoy profile image
NickJoy in reply toJFC87

Good luck- I hope everything is sorted out soon. You shouldn't have this additional pressure.

Mrtroxely profile image
Mrtroxely

You need an MRI....What's abnormal PSA?

Get doc put finger up arse and say he feel prostate is hard....

That with high PSA gonna get you an MRI????

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toMrtroxely

The PSA was 11. DRE indicated the prostate is hard.

They were quite reluctant to do the DRE. Regarding an MRI- they said it needs to be requested by secondary care, and that they can't ask for an MRI. Secondary care go on rejecting the referral.

Mrtroxely profile image
Mrtroxely in reply toJFC87

I'd agree with confused01.Start getting paperwork.

If it is prostate cancer, I'd be shitting it pushing for MRI to see if there was spread.

Feel for you.

All you can do is push....

Also(do not agree with this, it's what is driving privatisation) you can go private to get tests done, then go back to care NHS(we paid for our NHS treatments)

I also won't get to collect my state pension, so I must accept all help, and support that's available as I've paid for this, for times like this.

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toMrtroxely

The GP is saying an MRI can only be ordered by secondary care, who just keep rejecting referrals.I wish I could go private but can't afford it.

I'm terrified to be honest. My back is sore and painful, and it's making me wonder if it's spread as painkillers and other things I tried made no difference.

I've written to the GP office again asking for help. He was saying he's done what he was supposed to do but this is getting ridiculous.

Confused01 profile image
Confused01

Hi,

Your GP will have access to the exact info required for the referral and it’s on the form , notes they access.

*If I were you I would firstly request a paper copy of the referral and all info relating to. You are entitled to this and generally they will leave at reception within a day or so for collection.

*Alternatively you can go into Patient Access online, if you are signed up to. The referral etc should be on your account, if it’s not then query as it should be.

Go online and search for the nhs online appropriate referral form (ignore the fact it will say for GP)s etc. On that it will say what is required and you can check it with your paper copies/patient access.

Some referrals will only be accepted by the Dr putting it through electronically and will be rejected if not sent this way, even if all info is on it. Ask your surgery how the referral was sent through and if they say by paper then ask them to query if it should be an e-referral as maybe the reason for rejection.

Your GP needs to sort this out for you as you cannot.

However, if you get the above * you will at least get an idea of what the issue is.

Good luck, you shouldn’t have to stress.

JFC87 profile image
JFC87 in reply toConfused01

Thank you.It was sent using the e-referral service. The patient access doesn't show me everything but they did show the referral to me at the GP surgery and it seems that they provided the required information. I'm wondering what to do at this point, because the GP said he included the information both times and he can't add anything more to it.

Confused01 profile image
Confused01

Your GP needs to make contact with the referral department and find out exactly what they require that maybe missing. You must insist they do this, not just leave things as they are.

🤞🏻

NickJoy profile image
NickJoy in reply toConfused01

I agree completely as things need to move as quickly as possible - the GP should be pushing this forward.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Another hospital? If not, tell them you're gonna go to a good veterinarian...(and write to the Daily Mail)...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 03/12/2023 11:06 PM DST

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