Open NHS?

[Mugs19]

GPS preventing my disabled son from returning to the specialist who treated him 4years ago.I thought you were entitled to see the specialist of your choice anywhere especially if you have seen them previously. I need to know this’d urgently as they are trying to make him go somewhere else

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Are you in England? If so, I think the NHS Constitution states your rights:

gov.uk/government/publicati...

I don't believe you can have the specialist of your choice. Especially now that there are sometimes organisations which sit between GP and specialist and decide whether a referral can be made at all.

Might be as well to contact the specialist's secretary and see if it is possible to crack the issue from that direction.

[kittyelen]

It also depends if the specialist is still working there, they may have moved on or working under another area.

[Mugs19 in reply to kittyelen]

He is still there and willing to treat my son but his secretary says they have to getaway referral from his gp

[kittyelen in reply to Mugs19]

The main thing i found on gov uk was

You can:

decide which NHS organisation you would like to receive care from as an outpatient

choose the clinical team who will be in charge of your care within an organisation

These choices only apply at the point of referral.

I would ask the GP why on the point of referral were your requests not followed, or maybe the issue is they referred you but then you asked after? You need to clarify with the GP. I wouldn't have any pre negative thoughts of the new consultant they may be just as nice as the old one mind!

[jimh111]

You could try booking an appointment direct with the specialist. As your son has consulted them before the specialist does not require a further referral from the GP.

[Mugs19 in reply to jimh111]

Specialist is willing to treat him again but secretary says they need a referral from the gp

[greygoose in reply to Mugs19]

The secretary could be wrong. Can you email the specialist directly?

[jimh111 in reply to Mugs19]

Not sure of your rights but given your son is disabled you could involve your MP, get them to write to the hospital or GP. This level of visibility will focus minds.