My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

To go private because GP won't refer me?

85 replies

JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2017 11:02

I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my face 8 years ago. It required a skin graft and left a scar the size of a 50p piece. This was in Scotland. I hadn't recognised it for what it was and left it several months due to being pregnant and then having 3 children under 5.

I was told at the time that I would likely get more and that I should be checked by a dermatologist periodically.

Then I moved to England. I have had very little cause to see doctors and I haven't been checked by anyone. But I keep an eye on things and I recently noticed a new, tiny bumpy patch very close to the site of the first lesion.

So I went to the GP this morning to ask her to look at the thing on my forehead and refer me to a dermatologist. She barely leaned forward in her chair and she was very dismissive.

She just said it's nothing, don't worry. I asked her to refer me to a dermatologist and she said no. No referral unless "it grows really big or starts to ulcerate."

She didn't even get up to lean over and really look at it. She just said that nothing would be done unless it looks like a carcinoma to her, a GP.

I told her that I have had one removed and was told I was likely to get more. I told her that I had let it grow last time and was told that I should have gone earlier. In fact, I was told that I should have periodic checks by a dermatologist. She said that wasn't going to happen in England.

I just can't believe that unless she thinks it looks like a carcinoma... After it's grown and gone scabby... there's nothing to be done.

So I am paying for a private dermatologist to look at it Friday afternoon. If a dermatologist who specialises in treating BCC's tells me it's nothing, I'll let it go. I also figured that I would rather get a carcinoma treated privately as then I would have control over the timing of everything instead of just waiting for letters. I was impressed with being able to get an appointment with only two days notice! I have to travel for my work and I like the idea of being able to schedule things around work.

I am paying 225. But if a dermatologist tells me not to worry, I won't worry, so money well spent. And if he thinks it is a carcinoma, money well spent! Alternatively, I can also request a referral to the NHS for treatment, thereby getting around the obstructive GP (should it be a carcinoma) while saving money.

But an acquaintance of mine believes very strongly that paying for private medical care is wrong because it perpetuates a two-tier system that favours those who can afford it. She encouraged me to seek a second opinion from another NHS GP.

I'm not made of money. I wouldn't be able to pay for anything major. But I can afford to pay a few hundred if necessary. I figure I'm saving the NHS money.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Report
Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 24/08/2017 11:05

You are not being unreasonable in the slightest

I think due to some of the limitations of the NHS and the pressure on the system, some doctors find their hands are tied and refuse to refer. Or they are just being dismissive

Its peace of mind for you at least

I hooe its nothing Smile Thanks

Report
Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 24/08/2017 11:05

Oh for gods sake, i was so paranoid about getting the emoji wrong i missed the HOPE bit

Report
KimmySchmidt1 · 24/08/2017 11:09

No.

The NHS is over-stretched and it doesn't do anyone any good to let yourself get cancer just to support the NHS. As you say, it is worth the peace of mind when you have an extra reason in your history to be worried. The GP might be sub-standard and a different GP might refer you, but at least with a check up privately you get it done quicker.

A two tier system is, in reality, not a bad thing when you consider that some people might have more resources, some people might be extra vigilent or worried (like you) and there are finite resources.

I wouldnt bother going private for the actual cancer treatment - it is often worse than NHS and will bankrupt you. NHS is famed for being brilliant with serious stuff like cancer and not great with minor stuff, which is why some people use private for the minor stuff.

Report
Anon8604 · 24/08/2017 11:10

I think you're doing the right thing. It's difficult because in principle I know a lot of people disagree with private healthcare (thinking people shouldn't be able to pay to get better treatment than those who can't pay), but in practice if you're scared for yourself or a member of your family and you can afford to pay then I suspect ideological objections to private healthcare may prove to be less important than your family's wellbeing.

Report
TipTopTipTopClop · 24/08/2017 11:11

Your friend is an absolute idiot.

Please go privately.

Report
Pigface1 · 24/08/2017 11:13

I'd do exactly the same in your situation. I don't understand or agree with your friend's argument.

Report
JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2017 11:14

She didn't look closely. It's very small, less than a centimetre. And it's not discoloured, but I can make out tiny black/maroon dots. I can't see it very clearly due to its location and my eye site. There are signs to look for that the growth is a carcinoma in the surface texture and someone would have to look very closely in good light. I want to avoid a huge scar like last time so I want it removed before it grows, if indeed it's a carcinoma. I know that it's not a pimple!

I would be happy to pay for a biopsy... Whatever it takes for a specialist to know if it's a carcinoma or not.

OP posts:
Report
Beebee7 · 24/08/2017 11:14

YANBU.

Report
paap1975 · 24/08/2017 11:14

Given your history, I think you should go private

Report
grandOlejukeofYork · 24/08/2017 11:16

I just can't believe that unless she thinks it looks like a carcinoma... After it's grown and gone scabby... there's nothing to be done

She's just telling you the truth: there's no funding there to look at every tiny blemish, that;s just the way it is.

Go private if you can. Sounds expensive though, I'd go somewhere else in Europe for half that.

Report
JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2017 11:17

The treatment for BCC isn't expensive, relative to other cancers. It's an excision with local anesthesia. It may require a skin graft, and there is also the cost of examining the excised tissue to determine that all the cancerous tissue is removed. It could cost a few hundred to a couple of thousand, which I could afford, if I felt being in control of the schedule is worth it.

OP posts:
Report
Want2bSupermum · 24/08/2017 11:21

Id change GP first and get someone else to take a look. I'd possibly change my communication with the second GP to say first that you had this issue before, was advised to have any issues looked at promptly by a dermatologist and you notice this issue on your face that you need checking out. Be clear that you also need screening. My mother has had skin cancer and has regular screening for years. They have found quite a bit of cancerous skin over the past 10 years and removed it promptly.

Report
JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2017 11:21

I wasn't even sure until yesterday if the private GP could refer me to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon with the NHS. Is that "queue jumping?" or just getting past the GP? Do many people start private and then reenter the NHS for the expensive bits?

OP posts:
Report
AnotherLegoBrick · 24/08/2017 11:21

That is not unreasonable at all. My Dad has had several and now sees a consultant privately every 3 months. He often has early lesions frozen off.

Report
TipTopTipTopClop · 24/08/2017 11:23

I think a private doctor's referral is useful only for insurance purposes, so not useful for you - others may know different.

Report
elevenclips · 24/08/2017 11:23

Of course yanbu. Your friend sounds like they have no real life experience and is some very naive idealist. Life isn't ideal, we all do what we can. Whilst it would be better if private healthcare wasn't needed, your case is one of many illustrating why it's necessary. I've used private healthcare - NHS refused for 10 years to remove my ingrown toe nail, various ineffective treatments and wasted appointments. Went private, got it removed in a few minutes, never been a problem again (20 years have gone by!). OK a "trivial" problem but nevertheless would have taken up appointments for antibiotics etc - better to just chop problem off but they refused over and over Confused

Report
JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2017 11:24

want2bsupermum That's exactly what I told her!

It took me a while to see her... I had to wait until I returned from a business trip and I'm away again next week. I felt really down at the thought of waiting another 2 weeks to possibly have the same experience. I'm afraid only a dermatologist can reassure me.

OP posts:
Report
highinthesky · 24/08/2017 11:24

She's just telling you the truth: there's no funding there to look at every tiny blemish, that;s just the way it is.

This is spot on. GPs don't enjoy "rationing" treatment to the needy, but nor do they believe in exposing people to needless procedures that may actually cause harm.

Report
MotherofSausage · 24/08/2017 11:24

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Want2bSupermum · 24/08/2017 11:24

If you go private go straight to the dermatologist. Don't bother with a private GP.

Report
olderandnowiser · 24/08/2017 11:26

YANBU. Best wishes.

Report
JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2017 11:26

I'm going to see a dermatologist at a clinic that advertises treatment for skin cancer (many clinics emphasise cosmetic treatments, but I picked one that has a lot of stuff about melanoma and carcinoma on the Website)

OP posts:
Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

ExConstance · 24/08/2017 11:27

I have a colleague who wishes she had gone private. She had the classic symptoms of bowel cancer and it took 4 months to get to see a specialist after being fobbed off constantly by GP, it has spread and she is now very poorly indeed.

Report
user1471531877 · 24/08/2017 11:28

You should definitely be reviewed by a dermatologist in view of your history .It was wrong and very dismissive of the GP to not even look at your lesion properly. Unfortunately you will need referral back on the NHS .If the private Dermatologist agrees the lesion needs to be removed or at least monitored you will need to go back to the GP to arrange this .
Also you might want to suggest the GP undergoes further Dermatology training as you will have forked out 225 pounds and it's a safety issue for other patients.

Report
wheredoesallthetimego · 24/08/2017 11:28

In fact, I was told that I should have periodic checks by a dermatologist. She said that wasn't going to happen in England.

she's right. that isn't an NHS service except for occasional people with a rare genetic condition who get multiple BCCs. sounds like her manner could have been improved - whether or not her clinical judgment was right, who knows.

yes you can be referred into NHS from private if it is something that the NHS treats.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.