To think this is a barrier to treatment , GP fees

[WatchThePace]

I was recently diagnosed with a condition by the NHS, it’s a lifelong condition and is creating major health issues as my mobility is severely impaired and I’m in chronic pain. My ‘prescription’ was a referral from the rheumatologist to a recovery programme with Nuffield Health. All good but requires my GP to literally stamp a form confirming I can take part. I have just been informed that it will cost £50. I can pay this but surely as this was a referral from the NHS there shouldn’t be a charge? If I was someone who couldn’t afford then I wouldn't be able to receive treatment.

I mean I guess all NHS treatments should be free. Can you afford it and do you think it is worth it?
I think this will continue with us being asked to contribute to various things. I say this as an NHS nurse where we are now giving patients external prescriptions to take to external pharmacies. These are inpatients on wards so a continuation of their treatment. I am rather embarrassed but most patients accept it. Tends to be young patients though 🤷

Does your GP realise it’s an NHS referral? It sounds a bit like they’re treating it as a letter / form for private treatment.

Point out to your gp that this is an nhs referral and should be free at the point of use. Not a private form-fill.

Sometimes people try it on, to see if you will pay without protest.

I was referred for an Amnio by the Great Western in Swindon and they told me to book the appt myself and the charge would be £500.

I kicked up a fuss and threatened a solicitor's letter. Miraculously the fee disappeared.

The rheumatologist should be able to stamp the referral that they’ve made - that would be much simpler than the GP having to find the record of the referral and check the details etc (which is what the fee for this non-contracted work is for).

The issue here is the rheumatologist. If they believe the referral is needed then they should be doing the paperwork.

I am not saying GPs are perfect but they do tend to have a lot of work added by things being passed down to them that should be sorted by others

100% the rheumatologist is at fault here.
The standard hospital contract is that if the onward referral is related to the condition being assessed then it should not be sent back to the gp.

Otherwise it’s buck passing.

And shit like this is why Gp appt are hard to get.

Why hasn't the rheumatologist sorted out the referral properly? Surely this is nothing to do with the GP?

Why is the rheumatologist getting the GP to do their job?

They want to refer you, they should be filling in or rubber stamping forms.

Its sounds like confusion over the prescription. I assume you saw the rheumatologist as an NHS patient? Either the rheumatologist has mucked up paperwork or GP has got confused and thinks its a private prescription.

Sorry to clarify, the rheumatologist made the referral. During the health induction I was asked if I take medication, I take a beta blocker as and when, no serious issues however due to that the form needs stamped before I can start. I spoke to the receptionist and made it very clear this was an NHS referral, she had checked with the practice manager who confirmed I need to pay.

The rheumatologist will know about beta blockers and is probably in the best position to confirm that they will be fine with whatever treatment plan they’ve suggested.

It's because this is a total work dump on the GP.
'Just rubber stamped' means the GP accepts liability for you participating in this programme, when they don't run it or have any idea what is involved.
To be honest I think it's lucky they're agreeing to do it at all.
None of this is your fault of course, but highlights gaps in commissioning and how GPs are just expected to pick up the slack.
The GP is ultimately a contracted service too and they can refuse to do work that lies outwith this contract.

That is because it’s Nuffield - they don’t want any risk so want your gp to take that risk on their indemnity.

our practice would refuse this - it’s not NHS work.

and if the nhs uses this service then Nuffield and the commissioning nhs service need to work out how they screen those patients on meds without a gp input.
that form should have gone back to your rheumatologist.

still he haw to do with your GP
and I can see why patients get frustrated but the anger ends up at the gp and not the right people

@Jikuy this…a million times over!

That’s interesting, I had no idea how it all works. I’ve been discharged from my rheumatologist and waited months to see her last time so no chance I’m tracking her down by next week.

Hospital consultants have secretaries. If you google the number for the switchboard at the relevant hospital, and call it during the working day, ask for the secretary to name of consultant, in rheumatology. It's then down to them to track down and pester the consultant.

CoI Hospital consultant who would be totally lost without my fantastic secretary,

If you know their name, just phone the hospital/clinic and ask to speak to their secretary. They should be able to pass a message at the least.

@Answersunknown is right plus no GP just ‘rubber stamps’ in order to ensure your on the right course and your safety is protected etc they will have to read your notes/ history and medication requirements, that can take a while - all time that is generally scheduled after work or in extra hours!