When can I expect a response following GP referral to the local specialist team?

[briarsw]

My GP did my referral on 4th October. How long will it take to hear back from local PRD team? Or so I have to make direct contact myself?

[divvykev]

Good job I read the post a second time as I was going to start with Hi Brian.

I got fedup of my GP not looking at the big picture but going at every symptom as something on it's own. So, I contacted Clatterbridge (where I had my Radiotherapy) direct asking if they had someone who had any advice about long term / late effects of radiotherapy. I messaged via their facebook page and the reply was that they would make enquiries. all went quiet and then a few weeks later I received a message saying that there was someone who was interested in this very subject. Turns out that they are looking at extending their support for this and I am seeing the specialist on the 20th of December.

Just sharing in case it helps you or others to maybe go direct via where you got the radiotherapy.

I felt "better" just talking to someone who seemed to understand what I was saying.

anyway, good luck. keep going.

[briarsw in reply to divvykev]

Thanks that’s something I’ll try if I haven’t heard anything within the next month or so. I’m guessing that as more people discover PRD and engage with their local communities it will of course get busier and wait times will get longer. Nature of the beast I suppose. Thank you anyway

[Sing72]

I can't help you with your query, but I'm interested to see that you have a local PRD team.

[briarsw in reply to Sing72]

Hi there. Yes I was advised by Sarah - one of the partners on this site - that there is one at Maidstone (local to me) and she sent me a link to contact them. They then advised I would need a referral from my GP as you can’t self refer. I’ve had a chat with my GP (on 4th October 23) and he did the referral straight away. So now I’m waiting to hear from the local specialist team/person. I’ll update my post when I have further news 🌞

[Sing72 in reply to briarsw]

I can get no help where I live. Not been able to get to see a GP for many months. I've given up with the system now. I've only been able to speak to a clinical pharmacist at the practice for a meds review. She had no idea what PRD was. She said my increasing diarrhoea was probably due to stress!

[RoseTyler in reply to Sing72]

Stress 🙄. That's the catch-all term for 'we haven't got a bloody clue'! 😠

[briarsw in reply to Sing72]

Maybe try the place where you had your radiotherapy or MacMillan. Please don’t give up. You just have to shout a bit louder. Or contact the partners on this site. They may be able to check for you. There is a link somewhere on this site. Keep your chin up 🌞🌞

[BlueButterfly4 in reply to Sing72]

I live in County Durham and we don't have any late effects services either. However, I was referred to the late effects clinic in Bath and completed a two week program with them. Can't recommend them enough.

[Sing72 in reply to BlueButterfly4]

That sounds great. I'm glad you found it a positive experience.

[BlueButterfly4]

I heard back within a couple of weeks. I had initially made direct contact myself and then my GP made the referral. It can't hurt to contact them and enquire about when you are likely to hear from them. As someone once said to me 'shy bairns get nowt!'