How can I push for a faster appointment with a pediatrician?

[Neelam6]

Hi to everyone, I'm a newbie here and almost the same is for UK, just being a resident for 2 years now, so I need some help in your health system as my husband really doesn't know, he says.

Our three years old daughter started having a bulge between her right leg and the pubis about 3 weeks ago almost as big as a chicken egg and I called our GP for an appointment and advise. Within a few seconds it disappeared! Next day it appeared again so I took a picture for the GP and 3 days later I went for the appointment with nothing to show but the picture. He examined her and looked at the picture considering the same as I did: inguinal hernia but wanted us to see the pediatrician for further examination.

I got the referral papers within a weeks time but the earliest appointment is 3 months later! 2nd of April.

Though I've six children I've never experienced any inguinal hernia so really have no idea about if I can relax or really should push to get this appointment sooner as the bulge is coming out again and again, sometimes for a day or two it won't come at all and other days almost every time she's using the toilet I discover the bulge being out again. The minute she lies down and moves her right leg a bit, it disappears till the next time. She has no pain or any other signs of being unwell besides she does, since it started, lie down many times a day and not playing her jumpy games as she used to do.

What would you give me as advise? Relax? Push? And if pushing, HOW do I dot that? If I would go to the E&A I've nothing to show to them, not even a child with fever or vomiting signs so they might send me back home anyway without further examinations.

Thanks so much!
Neelam

I can't advise on you dad's condition as I have no experience of this.

With regards to your referral your letter should state a doctors name. Phone the hospital and ask to speak to the Drs secretary and explain the situation. The secretary is the best person to know if the Dr can/will see you sooner.

Keep going back to the GP!

That's dd not dads

Phone the number on the letter. it will get you the consultant's secretary. Tell them you are willing to accept a cancellation at any time.

if all you have is a booking line, tell them the same and call every day.

Well, having looked at the NHS info re: hernia, and taking into account the fact that your dd doesn't have any pain or signs of urgent illness, I'm not sure whether the issue would require a more urgent appointment.

You could maybe ring the consultant/paediatric team to ask whether you might be able to be put on a cancellation list in case an appointment comes available earlier.

Definitely take more photos so that if it isn't showing when your dd is seen, there's plenty for the paediatrician to see photographically.

When push comes to shove though, non urgent paediatric appointments do tend to have a longish wait where there isn't pain or debilitation.

The only way to guarantee an earlier visit with a paediatrician would be to get a private referral. Perhaps if you were able to get an idea of costs (BMI website might help), then you could decide if it's something that you could manage and then you could ask your GP to generate a private referral letter.

Wow, thanks, that has been quite a fast reply!

I've only the booking line number but I will keep calling and see if they can put me on a cancellation list. A private referral is impossible to manage at the moment.

It's a good idea to take more pictures as the bulge has different sizes, some bigger, some smaller.

Thanks to all of you!

Hi, it is frustrating waiting I know. We had to wait 17 weeks for a paediatrician appointment when my ds had awful reflux and to get diagnosis and rig treatment for it and milk allergy. But this is the NHS, it is free which is great but it is a matter of waiting. You say you have only been in the UK for 2 years, well it used to be worse as waiting times now for a consultant has a max time of 18 weeks ( yours is 12 weeks so that is ok), before it could easily be 6 months.

If you are concerned and it appears and lasts going to A and E, especially a children's A and E is good as they have paediatritian's there. If it can be seen they can check it does not need emergency treatment. You would need to go as soon as it appear I guess though.

You can as others said phone the secretary and say you can take a cancellation. Or go private - usually £150-200 for an appointment and usually seen within 1-2 weeks.

Oh only other thought is can you ask your health visitor for a chat and show her the pictures. Some are experienced and can advise you on the UK system of doing things and advise you if they think it is urgent. If you know when all the baby clinics are on and it appears I would take your dd to any that is on so someone sees it.

It is hard when they are ill and worrying. I hated those 17 weeks of seeing my dc in pain etc. when you get your appointment they may order tests and ask you to come back to a further appointment to review test results. Or refer you to a more appropriate consultant if needed.

I've been told by my husband that it has been even worse. He told me from an incident on the news which was said that a person who has died got an appointment for the necessary operation sent 5 years after his death...

But to be honest, it is not all that much better in Germany with the health system, just that you have to pay them for bad services, employed or not employed. But is the same, once you are private things happen much faster for you. Sadly, those with lesser money are 2nd Class human beings when it comes to health. Only our dentists are much easier and not that picky. We are on a 6 months waiting list... I wonder what happens if you get really tooth ache. My husband said there are clinics to go but they only take those teeth out, no treatment?

I will have a chat with our health visitor, too, I haven't thought of her to be honest. Too long time ago I've seen her.

So thanks for all your help! Very pleased to have found you!

Neelam

With teeth, if you have an emergency you phone up your dentist and ask for an emergency appointment and you should be seen. Many dentists are private though, harder to get on the books of an NHS dentist. But same should apply.

If your dd has the problem again and you are concerned definitely go to A+E whilst it is visible.

Yes, health visitors can be great at advice especially with young babies.