What’s the process, please? (Privately funded healthcare referral)

[Cluelessneedinghelp]

Never thought we would have to consider it and not even sure how we would afford it so all advice, guidance and suggestions to be thrown at me please 😊

Is it true that once you have requested a referral from the GP for a private referral you can’t go back onto the NHS for the same condition?

We’ve been pushing for DS to be referred to for investigation for severe constipation since the age of 18mths. Daily Laxido & Lactulose, regular disimpaction and enemas in hospital due to back-ups following on from xrays in A&E blah blah blah.

We’ve been rejected by various clinics, consultants and departments with all of them saying it’s not their department (sleep, school nurse, general paeds) and it’s now
affecting his mental health saying he feels like the odd one out at school & doesn’t want to live like this on the meds and with the pain any more.

We’re in the system for yet another new department but won’t be seen until January by which time, DS will be 8 years old.

How on earth do I proceed on requesting a private referral please? I don’t even know which sodding department we need now…..

You go to your GP and ask to be referred to a private gastroenterologist and no this won't affect your existing NHS referral.

Not sure where you are but Sunderland hospital have a brilliant paeds gastro team. Dr Mellon specifically. DS suffered for years until we saw him

Thankyou both - much appreciated.

Yes this is exactly what I was going to say. Also at any point during treatment the private consultant can write back to the GP to say "please refer patient back to my NHS clinic" if needed.

You can self refer to private, your GP doesn’t need to be involved. But yes you can be seen both privately and remain on the NHS waiting list.

just find the private healthcare clinic you want to use/the named consultant, ring up and ask for an appointment!

If GP can't /won't - go see a private GP :)