Does anyone know how much it would cost to see a paediatrician privately?

[SecretRed]

As the title says I'm just enquiringly on the cost of the above. My teenage daughter has been getting headaches. We first took her to the gp in October who recommended an eye test which came back clear. She was referred to a nhs paediatrician at the end of November.
We got the appt for the 12 Jan which was cancelled due to the junior doctors strike and have got another one for 25 Feb. 13 weeks after referral.
She's really suffering and having to take painkillers every day and we just want to see somebody. Gp and hospital say they can't hurry along so this looks like only option but we are not flush with cash at the mo so I was just looking at approximate cost to see if this is an option to us.
Thanks in advance

Maybe £250? Is there a private hospital near you? You could phone and ask them.

Are they related to her periods. Could they be hormonal migraines. Wondering if you might be better off spending money on a hormone specialist or neurologist.

Yes I'm assuming the secretaries finish at 5 so I'll give a couple of them a call first thing. I'm in Manchester so there's a couple of options.

They're near enough every day so don't think they are related to her periods Sofia. Although they obviously could be hormone related.

Maybe a neurologist is the best first stop. My ds had/has a lot of illnesses and issues and I lived in an area with a shortage of gp's so we even had trouble getting a gp, much less a referral to a specialist. I found that if I took him to the pediatric a&e at St. Mary's in London, we could get to see a pediatrician and got the medical information and/or referral we needed. It's sad that I had to wait until his issue was critical before I could get the appropriate person looking at it.

If it's hormonal, putting her on the pill may sort out the headaches.

You also have to be careful taking painkillers every day (even if it's just ibuprofen) because they can cause "rebound" headaches.

For an initial appt about £180
I really would try and cut down on the painkillers...could be causing rebound headaches.
Has she tried cold compresses, no screens, cutting out sugar....the usual suspects?

£250 for a 20min appt with a private paediatrician in the south east. Any tests needed are extra

initial app around 200-250 for a consultant. follow up around 150.
any tests, imaging, prescriptions extra (and can be eyewatetingly expensive)

Have you phoned up and asked for a cancellation appointment? She might get seen quicker that way.

In Manchester it would be around £180 for an initial consultation with paediatrician. However, you should call and speak to the secretaries first as they may not be best placed to deal with headaches. Can you get a copy of the initial referral from the gp?

Also be aware that should any blood tests or scans etc be ordered the cost would mount significantly and quickly. Follow up consultation would be in the region of £100-150. Also, any prescription would be private so would need paying for.

Personally I would go back to the gp and explain how much your DD is struggling. If there's nothing they can offer, then ask who they would recommend seeing privately, most gps are aware of who sees patients and where privately.

That's for all of your helpful replies. I'm covered for £250 on the health insurance so it's looking out of my price range of it goes beyond the initial consultation. I'll go back to the gp and see if I get any more joy face to face rather than from the receptionist on the telephone.

You will need a referral letter from the GP in anycase. Agree with other posters, try to reduce the amount of painkillers - I know it sounds weird, but they can aggravate headaches as much as relieve them sometimes.

I think your best bet is phoning the consultants secretary and explaining that her symptoms are worse and if you could be seen earlier/go on a cancellation list

www.headsmart.org.uk
Not to freak you out - but there is important information here.

hmm... odd health insurance - are you sure it only covers you for one consultation?

I would bypass the paed and see a neurologist too.

Around £200, but you don't need a referral letter.

It depends on your insurance and the doctor you go to whether you need a GP letter of referral. Our insurance allows self referral and some Doctors will see you without. It's true the blood tests can cost a bomb but if your gp is in the loop some private doctors will write to your GP suggesting certain tests you can then have in NHS.

This thread is from a year ago. I expect the OP has seen someone.