Does anyone know if you can make a self referrals to the royal free hospital.

[fairygoddess83]

Hey I 've been trying to get my doctor to send me to the royal free hospital but they won't... they just look at me and say there is not one pill that will help you and send me on to get on with it!!! Every time I stand for longer then 5 mins my legs go purple and my feet are dark purple and go wobbly then I need to sit with my feet up .. until they are back to normal but as soon I PUT them down it starts again even if I sit down .. like on the toilet that starts my legs of .. I 've really had enough please help x x

[Hidden]

Your symptoms sound really awful and I can't understand why you should not see a consultant expert inthefield of raynauds. One thing I have been told though, is that the government have told gp's not to make too many referrals , and that they will be penalised or even sacked if they fail

To comply. This is disgraceful of course, so your Gp may just be too scare to refer you. These are more precarious times than many imagine for the sick. You should be seen by a specialist. I would pRbably consider changing my Gp. Good luck.

[toftsie]

I would like to think that there is an easy answer to this - but unfortunately, I agree, try changing your GP - disgraceful, but perhaps necessary. Why don't you ask the question also on the Raynaud's & Scleroderma FaceBook page - all you have to do is "like" the page, and then you can post your question. Hopefully someone else may have gone through a similar situation.

[zenabb]

I agree. Tell your GP that if he does not refer you to a rheumatologist, you will change GP.

[newbe]

I spoke with a really lovely lady at the scleroderma society called penny telephone no 020 70001925 and I seem to remember her saying you can refer direct whether this would mean having 1st consult private not sure. Also there is a tel no for the scleroderma nursrs 0207 830 2326 on reflection I think these would be the best people to contact to give advice on referral. I do hope this helps you sound in a bad way. Good luck

[graygirl1]

Change your GP at once. It is your right to be referred to the Rheumatologist whom are the real experts. Raynaud's, Scleroderma, Lupus, Underactive thyroid and all forms of arthritis falls under Rheumatology and they know a hell of a lot more than the GP. A good doctor works in partnership with the patient and listens to what the patient has to say and do the best he/she can for the well-being of the patient. The budget shouldn't come into it. I'm lucky that my GP is such a one.

If push comes to shove, seek the advice of the Citizens Advice Bureau. Personally, I would call the Rheumatology Department at the Royal Free Hospital to speak to a member of staff. Say you are suffering with this condition and at your wits end and that your doctor refuses to refer you. Ask what they would advise you to do. Folks can be very sympathetic and kind in these situations.

You never know until you try but changing your GP seems like a good idea to me. Let us know how you get on.

All the best.

[Hidden in reply to graygirl1]

The info I gave re GP's being forced to cut down on referrals came from my own GP who is outraged to have these constraints placed upon doctors. So unfortunately , though funding should not be an issue, subversive measures are being exercised to make it one. The loophole is that if a patient requests a referral then it should be granted. Worth bearing in mind.

[fairygoddess83]

Thanks peeps for your reply.. I 've spoken to a doctor s surgery near me and the receptionist completely understood what I was going through as her husband suffers from it to.. I just hope they will help me... fingers crossed.. plus I'm going to ring royal free tomorrow and see what they say.. I don't mind paying for private for the first visit but I won't be able to keep it up... x x

[graygirl1]

Well done you! People are very kind so you will be fine.

[AHM42]

You will need a referral from your GP. As I don't know where you live and which Health Authority you live in it is difficult to comment. However people are referred to the Royal Free from all over the country. Is there another doctor in the practice who you could ask for a referral? Worth a try.

AHM