Not happy with care

[sjdard]

I am not happy with the care I'm getting at the moment at my local hospital and was wonder how I can get referred to a specialist in MPN. I not far from London and I know that Guys and St Thomas has Claire Harrison there and would love to see her, but I don't no how to go about it, any help would be appreciated.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hi Sjdard, you need to ask your GP to refer you, you can ask to be referred to any consultant/hospital of your choice. Best wishes, Maz

[HardwareHarry in reply to Mazcd]

Hi Maz, I went this route when I wanted to see Professor Harrison, however my GP told me that as I was already under another consultant for this particular condition the the referral would need to come from them instead. I wrote a letter to my current haematologist asking for a referral (will copy/paste text of letter here later) and he immediately referred me on.

Paul

[sjdard in reply to HardwareHarry]

Same here, please could you post the letter you sent my go wouldn't do anything.

[harleydavidson in reply to Mazcd]

Hi Maz

I asked my GP for a referral to Professor Harrison about 3 weeks ago. How long will it be until I hear anything do you think?

Best wishes Mel x

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to harleydavidson]

Hi Mel, leave it for another couple of weeks, and if you haven't heard anything then phone your surgery and ask them to let your GP know that you haven't heard anything. Maz

[harleydavidson in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you x

[harleydavidson in reply to Mazcd]

Thanks Maz, got my referral for next month. Mel x

[HardwareHarry]

Hi Sjdard,

Here is the (short and simple) text of the letter I sent to my consultant haematologist, asking for the referral. The referral was done very quickly- hopefully they will do what you ask. Note though that Professor Harrison is pretty busy, and it may be a few months before you get to see her - so make sure you keep up your current arrangements till you see Professor Harrison.

Good luck,

Paul.

Dear Dr XXXX,

I would like to be referred to Professor Claire Harrison at Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospital, who has been recommended to me as a specialist in Polycythaemia Vera. My GP has informed me that you are the person to do this; please could you arrange it at your earliest convenience.

Yours Sincerely,

etc.

[Skye333]

I also asked my Haematologist to refer me. I just emailed my nurse and she asked him. I saw Professor Harrison and wish I lived closer to London to see her permanently but she did sort out a permanent referral at another hospital for me. She lovely and so helpful.

Janet x

[Loubprv Volunteer]

Hi,

All you have to do is ask your doctor to send a letter of referral to whichever specialist in whichever category you choose.

Seemples.

Hope you manage to find the help that you'll be seeking.

It's really early days, and you'll be fine.

Louise

xx

[sjdard]

I have just seen my gp, wont write letter, said need to talk to my current heomotologist to get me referred there, said down to politics. Feel very upset a emotional at the moment. Don't no what to do.

[HardwareHarry in reply to sjdard]

As I said above, just copy-and-paste the above into a letter, address it to your current haematologist and send it. You're not asking for anything you're not entitled to. It's not a big deal and they get referral requests (in and out all the time). It doesn't have to be a personal thing - just pop a stamp on it and it should all just work out.

Good luck,

Paul.

[sjdard in reply to HardwareHarry]

Thank you will do this.

[Hidden in reply to sjdard]

Your GP is being an idiot - what rubbish, they should be doing what you want.. it's awkward when its your unhappiness with your current haemo care... but maybe do what HardwareHarry has said just to speed it up

[Hidden]

I was lucky and referred myself for a second opinion but as Maz said GP is the best route, even if just for a second opinion although I have been under Claire and her team ever since, best decision I ever made. What hospital are you at out of interest?

[sjdard in reply to Hidden]

I'm at Darenth Valley Dartford.