GP refusing to send me to private investigations

[Wobblyheart]

I want to preface this with saying that my GP practice is really amazing compared to what I have experienced before, on time, understanding, caring, accommodating. They have ordered a significant number of investigations for me already, but not being able to find anything abnormal. So I do understand why they are doing it but I feel so incredibly frustrated.

Long story short, I have been suffering with relentless fatigue (nothing like any thing i have experienced before) for 2 years, my muscles hurt and burn on a minimal exertion and out of breath from minimal activity. I have a bloated stomach all the time, and some digestive issues. Recently I discovered a really large - maybe 10 cm or so - sausage shaped lump in my right side. GP could feel it too on the examination. Suggested it could be my ascending colon. However, my worry is that the lump is ALWAYS there, irrespective of bowel movements or anything else. After 3 FIT tests and normal bloods, GP refused to refer me for a private scan. I understand and dont want to be a burden for NHS anymore but why refuse to send me privately?

I do suffer from health anxiety and the rationing is that it will not help me. However, without knowing what this lump is, my anxiety meds (a high dose) doesnt do anything for me, without knowing i wont be able to try for another pregnancy (and I am 38 already). I understnad why having another scan might make anxiety worth but i feel like denying it to me just resorts me to a half-living in a state of tourteous uncertainty. If i did not a physical lump and this 2 year exhaustion, I would find it much easier to move one, but this is not the case here. I know that no amount of CBT, drugs etc wont be able to help me whilst I feel utterly drained of energy for no obvious reason and feeling the "swelling/lump" in my abdomen.

I hate this situation so much. Because I totally understand where the GP is coming from but it is not going to be helpful for me. I hear people and some people say this to me too: "advocate for yourself". I'd like them to try and be a young woman with health anxiety and real physical symptoms and try to advocate for themselves. I am burnt out. Scared. and so so so so tired.

Well they just write something like Dear Colleagues rather than a name if you haven't arranged that but they definitely do. My last one says 'private referral' at the top!

Unfortunately, I have lost 2 relatives and a friend because the GP did not refer for scans. All 3 of these people saw their GP repeatedly for over a year. Two finally diagnosed through A+E admissions. So ‘GP doesn't think so’ means nothing to me. They miss it all the time. If you are concerned, be firm.

https://uk.scan.com/searches/ed5acdcd-5a71-4b3f-97d3-dac4b89a8e62

Can arrange loads of scans online.

Lots of private providers ask for an nhs GP referral. They often say it’s not essential but helpful.

For colon cancer yes, however there are many cancers that could affect your abdomen, including soft tissue sarcomas.

I was under investigation for a soft tissue sarcoma 2 years ago on my hip/back, thankfully turned out to be a rare benign tumour but I think it has just scarred me. I also never heard of soft tissue sarcomas before and now I know so it is a worry.

They can do this, maybe it depends on the insurance. I've had an ultrasound, referred straight by the GP, then when that showed something an MRI, again from the GP. That's with Benenden though.

Can you just travel to another one?

https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/treatments/diagnostics/colonoscopy?infinity=ict2~net~gaw~cmp~10648286124~ag~167524976761~ar~703977232523~kw~private%20colonoscopy~mt~e~acr~4568108082&infinity=ict2~net~gaw~ar~703977232523~kw~private%20colonoscopy~mt~e~cmp~Gen%20Surgery%20-%20Colonoscopy%20-%20UK~ag~Private_E&gbraid=0AAAAAD74KkWeeFTowKMSmmelmwqQ0rtfi&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6_ksPnS5-tgA8rS0MwY00Jg9nR8RL3DfS92OV5nnjWpNDgfFm-sxbcRhoCGeAQAvD_BwE

Private self refer colonoscopy here. Loads of options all over the country.

It is devastating to hear.

Thank you @20yearrenovation

No, if you have private health insurance (rather than self fund i.e. pay from your own pocket whenever you need to), it's a requirement that you get a referral from a GP.

OP, I don't think your GP is reasonable at all. And I don't understand their reluctance to refer you when you're saying you'll pay to have the test/scans done privately. If you keep hitting a brick wall, pay £50 for a private GP consultatation and get them to refer you.

GPs can and do make private referrals.

Some private hospitals will ask for a GP referral and some will not - it depends on the hospital and the consultant.

I had major surgery carried out privately two years ago and self-funded. I had a choice, I could have self referred to the consultant of my choice by contacting the consultant's private hospital secretary or I could ask my NHS GP to send a referral letter to the consultant. I elected to have the GP make the referral as I had already had an NHS X-ray which showed that my condition was severe.

Once the referral had been made, the private consultant's secretary set up an appointment and the GP had no further input.

My consultant also worked in my local NHS hospital and was able to access my hospital scans and the X-ray. Because I had another condition which might impact my fitness for surgery, the private consultant also liaised with my NHS consultant about the other condition and the need to stop the medication I was taking at that time before my surgery took place.

They are doing it because I have a health anxiety. I would like to see anyone who wouldnt in my shoes.

YANBU please get a scan to rule out ovarian cancer

At many private hospitals you can have scans and other investigations carried out but would need to pay for a consultant's appointment first (itro £200-250).

Having had the scan and report reviewed by the private consultant, you can then re-enter the NHS system if you choose to do so.

It has been ruled out.

I should have stated more clearly that I really do understand why GP did not refer me for the 2WW path, as we have ruled out so many things with them in the last 2 years. I had many scans, but no colonoscopy or abdominal scans.

I was even refered to a rapid diagnostic service for unspecified cancers but they turned out my referral, however at that point i didnt yet notice the lump in my abdomen.

So I can see why GPs advised what they did, I just still find it frustrating as I think a lump would warrant a quicker referral and that the number of other investigations you have had before shouldnt be a factor in deciding anything like this.

Are you wanting a Ct/mri scan Op? Or a colonoscopy as well? …..it’s relatively cheap for a mri ( my DD recently paid 750 including the gp consultation and referral) ….but a colonoscopy will be much more expensive….here in NW iTs around 200 to 300 for initial consultation…..then payments for bloods and whatever else needed….then around 2k for the procedure…..then around 200 for follow up appointments ( to discuss results etc)…..at this point you can request. A transfer back to nhs …..have you looked at how long the waiting list is in your area for routine colonoscopy? ……..it’s around 2 months for a routine endoscopy where I am…..so guessing colonoscopy is similar? ….depends where you are though….I’m NW

Yes and I think this is one of positives of going through a private consultant in your area as they can refer you back to their own clinic under NHS.

Sorry OP, but if you’re self-funding and £250 will put you into debt then private healthcare isn’t a viable option for you. I have accessed private healthcare several times and it’s cost in the thousands once it’s all added up. If the GP referred everyone for private investigations - the NHS would be in even more trouble because everyone would be asking for it.

Hi OP, what test/s did you have to rule out ovarian cancer?

Well originally I asked for a abdo & pelvis CT but GP (rightly so) said that it carries a significant load of radiation. So whilst CT could look at all the possible abnormalities + the bowels / intestines quite efficiently, I think colonoscopy + MRI would be preferable but I will have to wait to see what the private gastro consultant will say. I just want to be okay and enjoy my 2 year old and know that I am going to be around for him. So hard at this age when all he wants is his mummy.

No, I estimated that MRI + colonoscopy will put me in debt as it will likely be around £3,5k in total

Its an average of 4 moths here...

C125 blood and pelvic/vaginal ultrasound

Not true. NHS GPs often refer to private healthcare. My dh is a consultant who does some private work on top of his NHS, he prefers to have a GP referral (and usually does), but he will see self referrals too.