I was just going to post my latest (unfavourable) thyroid test results, but really need confirmation (or not) of a question of Patient's Rights first? If it is completely unsuitable to ask here please feel free to deleteI seem to remember quite clearly the statement that a Patient has a right to chose which Consultant he/she wants to see? Albeit, the patient may not be teated by the particular Consultant, but one of his team? Does anyone know if that is still the case? I can't find the answer anywhere.
I would be really grateful if anyone could help?
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anniec11
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I wonder if this was a short lived thing when the government were trying to create an internal market some years ago. That’s one thing my GP practice has been good with. I live in a largish city and GP happy to refer to whomever I wanted ‘locally’ BUT no point as I live in a NO T3 area. Went private outside my area.
I have just done that, I need to see a Vascular Consultant so I Googled until I found one experienced in my uncommon problem and requested my GP referred me to him and she did, no problem at all.
Exactly. Thank you for confirming this. I do suffer from Hypothyroidism, but don't suffer from memory loss that badly !!!😂Thanks again for helping me clear this up.
I had a problem with my Hashimoto levels so out of range last year that my levo was reduced to 12.5 mcg which is frankly ludicrous. I asked for a referral to an endo as I have never seen one and the response was a letter to my gp saying I had "transient thyroiditis probably since diagnosis". No appointment, no indication of treatment and certainly not "transient" as I was diagnosed over 18 years ago.
I left it a few months, looked up endos in a different hospital and asked my gp for a second opinion, which she was happy to do.
I asked for a cancellation as the waiting list was very long and within a week or so had an appointment for the following week.
It was not the Endo I had asked to be referred to but a member of his team and I am very happy with her.
It turns out I now also have Graves antibodies, (as well as Hashis) and am hyperthyroid.
If I had not asked for that second opinion I just wonder what would have happened as no GP considered the reasons why my ranges were so out of kilter and the constant reduction of levo over four years, obviously swinging to hyperthyroid.
The endo also said having the high levels of T4, T3 and non existent TSH could have contributed to my osteoportic spinal fractures.
I am cross but also relieved I had to ask for the second opinion.
I am so glad you got your second opinion, which was obviously so worth it.I am having some issues with my new GP, who informs that I cannot chose the Consultant I want to see. I always have before at another surgery. It was never an issue.
I have found the section in Patient's Rights as published by the NHS.
It also mentions Gp Patient Confidentiality! I did ask her that I would prefer to see so-and-so and not the one I was sent before! (I have sound reasons) She asked what they were, so I said I would tell her only if it did NOT go on my notes ! She promised! I explained that it would be more diplomatic and easier if she would just mention that the patient requested to see Mr x and leave it at thst. We all know medics do not take kindly to this. However, she promptly wrote to on the hospital booking form saying that I wanted to see so-and-so and thst I did NOT want to see Mr Y.
I am really angry about this as it was not only unnecessary, it was also breaching patient Confidentiality.
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