Finally decided to go private.

[Peetzil]

I’ve taken the plunge after 4 years of little progress with my GP referral to Haematology stuck in the system backlog (current wait time 60 weeks!) I’ve booked a consult with Mark Drummond at Spire for November. Fingers crossed that I can get to the bottom of what’s causing the raised Hb, Haematocrit & Ferritin🤞🏻

[hunter5582]

I think that is a very wise decision. Sorry to hear the system is so dysfunctional that you could not get a referral in such a long time. Please let us know what you learn.

[Peetzil in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you Hunter, I will do🙂

[Wyebird]

Don’t blame you but don’t come off the waiting list. Contact your GP surgery today and say you will go anywhere in the country , stay on the phone whilst they search. . That’s what I did. Keep me informed

[Peetzil in reply to Wyebird]

Wyebird thanks for your reply, but it will be quicker & cheaper to go private in Scotland as the hospital is not far from where I live. I’ve just accepted the downside of that is I will have to pay for the privilege! 🙂

[Wyebird in reply to Peetzil]

Good luck xxxc

[MPort]

Hi I did that 15 years ago and it was best decision I ever made. My local general haematologist was willing to liase and act upon the information I gained from the private consultation. So work out the politics of private v NHS help. Will you be able to get the recommendations acted upon, if there are some. As an example a relative is having a foot operation privately due too long a wait. But GP wont help with aftercare and this is now a major problem. I hope you get good results and look forward to hearing how you go.

[Peetzil in reply to MPort]

Thankyou MPort I’m just not prepared to wait another year, fortunately I am in a position where I can opt for private I know many aren’t so lucky. 🙂

[Scaredy_cat in reply to Peetzil]

I was treated extremely quickly 25 years ago when I was diagnosed with ET and then again when I had symptoms this year that I was concerned about and proved to be progression to MF, all with the NHS in England. I don't know if you've been confirmed as having an mpn. As mpns are treated as cancer now, could you mention to gp if you are eligible for consultation under the 2 week rule? Once you're in the NHS system, the treatment is very good. Also, given that mpn haematologist are quite rare beasts make sure your private consultant is suitable

[Peetzil in reply to Scaredy_cat]

Hi scaredy-cat thanks. I have not been diagnosed with an MPN I think that’s the problem. So it’s a non urgent referral and atypical presentation. The consultant I have booked specialises in MPN, so that’s definitely a plus! I will keep you all posted my appointment is not until November 🙂

[Hopetohelp]

I went privately at first to get diagnosed and then asked to be referred to nhs which has been very good for me. Good luck

[Peetzil in reply to Hopetohelp]

That’s good to hear! Thanks 😊

[pj1963]

Can I ask if you were able to book directly with Mark Drummond or did you have to go through your GP? I am wanting to see him myself. I have MF and am under the care of the haematology dept at Forth Valley. I asked for my last appt to be an in-person one, but was so disappointed to be seen by a nurse. I just feel I am not being properly cared for!

[Peetzil in reply to pj1963]

Hi pj1963 I was able to book directly on Spire website, it’s £200 for initial consultation. Worth it I’d say, good luck 🤞🏻

[pj1963 in reply to Peetzil]

Ok, many thanks.

[Aldebaran25]

I was so lucky with my PV diagnosis and treatment. It really is luck of the draw and a lot depends on where you live. Obviously timing also counts with covid causing the big back log. After a generic blood test, in 2019, I was sent by my GP to St.Thomas’ A&E and taken care of immediately by the excellent team at Guy’s. So unfair that this is not the case for everyone ! You are wise to speed things up by getting started privately. This is what I did for another more recent health issue and the private consultant supported me in eventually getting NHS care.

[Peetzil in reply to Aldebaran25]

Thanks for your reply glad to hear it went well for you with speed of diagnosis & care.

[Megabyte]

Hi Peetzil - I’m considering booking a consultation with Dr Drummond for a second opinion - I know he’s considered to be the MPN expert in Scotland - but I don’t want to have to pay for a lot of tests when they’ve already been carried out by the NHS (btw I waited only 5 weeks for my first referral to haematology here in Ayrshire and Arran). Are you able to get your records or will you be starting from scratch?

Thanks

Meg

[Peetzil in reply to Megabyte]

Hi Meg, I have copies of all my blood results for the last 4 years & I will have a FBC at beg of November before my appointment. I plan to take them all along, but think he may have other tests he wants to do? It’s easy & free to request copies from your GP practice, anytime I have a test now I just ask for a copy. Good luck!

[Megabyte in reply to Peetzil]

Ask the GP for my blood results! Never thought of that - duh - thought I was going to have to wrestle them from the hospital. I am going to ask for a face to face with my GP after I get the results from my ultrasound - so I can ask for everything then. Thank you for responding - I’ve heard such good things about dr Hammond - here’s hoping it’ll be a good result for both of us. Meg

[Peetzil in reply to Megabyte]

Yes I’ve heard good things too. I ask for copies of everything now, I have MS & when I go for an MRI I ask right there for a copy, usually someone from Radiology will phone me afterwards & then send me a copy (it’s our information after all) I am thinking if you want a copy of your ultrasound report you can do the same, or ask your GP for that too! 🙂