GP's in Coventry that will refer to Dr S.

[gordies]

My GP downright refuses to refer me to Dr Skinner. Is there anyone on here from Coventry who managed to get a referral without any issue?

[CarolineAnne]

Hi Gordies

I have sent you a PM

Carolineanne x

[AmandaK in reply to CarolineAnne]

Hi I hope you don't mind me 'piggy-backing' on this request, but I too live in Coventry and have a GP who keeps strictly to the thyroid test regime rules (and who also refuses to recognise ME as a biomedical, neurological illness), despite obvious symptoms. Would you mind sending me info too? I'd be v grateful. Amanda

[Jackie]

Hi If you find a GP who will refer you, make sure that they will also prescribe and do blood est on Dr. S.`s recommendation. Some will not do a thing a private doctor suggests etc, nor of course tests , I am thinking more if you need scans or PTH investigations etc etc, more likely later in thyroid treatment time, for conditions arising from thyroid disease. Also the other tests done by Endo`s. if you see a private Enddo, this is totally different, you pay for the consultation and they tell the GP exactly what to do ( If no insurance) if you are insured of course, different entirely. Any consultant private or NHS does this, especially if asked., but often it is not possible with a private doctor as completely different and also normally they only look after the thyroid, not the surrounding issues. So,if you find a GP willing, to refer you, do check this or it may be expensive and also not the care you wish to have, however good the private doctor is.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[gordies]

thanks Jackie, it is a totally pain in the *rse all this nonsense, isn't it?

why can we not just be treated properly?

[Ansteynomad]

*waves*

A friend of mine who lives in Stoke got a referral to Dr Skinner through the private GPs in Station Road Knowle.

AN

[meki]

Hi Hope this helps. I wrote to the practice asking for a referral to Dr S on the basis of a slow recovery from a severe chest infection and as Dr S is a Virologist I would like a referral and copies of blood tests.

Dr S is not an endo according to the info I received from his clinic so I thought this was a useful tack and it worked for me. Dr S waiting list is long I am waiting for a cancellation if not he has agreed a late night appointment as I am off on holiday for 5 weeks.

His staff are very helpful.

[Hidden]

Snap!

My GP is generally very interactive and a good listener, (well, I will qualify that by saying not all the Drs in the practice are!) he even prescribes other drugs on the NHS that I need which were recommended by a private consultant and runs blood tests for that purpose too, without any hassles, but will not refer me to Dr S, and of course even though he knows fine well I am hypothyroid, he won't venture away from the hard and fast "rules" add to that, the top of the local lab's TSH range is high at 5.0 too, plus they won't do t3 or t4 when TSH is in range either, and it gets very difficult!

Top name Professor Endo at the wonderful "WISDEM" centre at Walsgrave (there is certainly no WISDOM there!) was neither use nor ornament for ANY of the issues (not just thyroid) that I went for, some of which were screamingly blatant serious problems; hence the need to seek private Doctor involvement too.

My option has been a combination of Private referral, plus self treating, (for a host of Endocrinological issues) but it hasn't been easy, although I am now radically improved from where I was!

Very interesting info about the Private GP service in Knowle.. I didn't know about it, despite having a friend who works in that very road!