How to find private doctor

[Jade3210]

Hi

Any advice on how I find or get a referral to a private doctor?

My DD is in the system for delayed bone growth - 18 months delay- and low ferritin that isn’t responding to treatment. She has been screened negative for coeliac. Her doctor said she may need IV iron but has gone off sick and there does not appear to be any back up. I am very grateful for the NHS however this has been going on for months and we aren’t getting anywhere.

We are in the north west- any recommendations?

See if you have a Nuffield Health nearby. I got an appointment with a private GP the day after I rang them (although I'm in the south west, but pretty sure they are all across the UK)

If it's already been determined IV Iron is needed, I have to say I have never heard of this being given to a young child in a private health setting. You are better off calling or writing to your paediatric department's clinical lead / clinical director saying you are concerned about the effect of a delay in treatment, they could potentially get someone to read the notes / letters and come up with a plan. They will already be having to come up with contingencies for other things if a consultant is long-term sick.

You don’t need a referral to a private doctor - just the money to pay for one. Don’t forget that any tests and medication will also have to be paid for.

@Rocknrollstar are you sure? We had to get a referral (for a private MRI).
OP what do you mean there's 'no backup'? No other GP? That doesn't make sense.

@mondaytosunday no back up at the hospital. The doctor has gone off sick and the PA has no idea who/if anyone else will pick up DDs case to progress.

@Unseenentity good idea, I hadn’t thought of that.

Ask to be referred to another hospital. Alder Hey or Manchester Children's hospital, if you are in the NW.

Who do I ask @Toddlerteaplease the gp or the PA at the hospital?

Probably the GP.

Thank you @Toddlerteaplease

Have you tried complaining to PALS?

Your child has already been assessed as needing treatment, that can't all just seize up as one doctor is off sick.

Clinics and referrals should be reorganized with the rest of the department. The PA may not know what is going to happen as not senior enough but everyone should be reallocated.

And realsitically the person who kicks up a fuss will be allocated first.

@AnnaMagnani I know, that’s what I thought but when I asked who was covering the doctor’s work it was like no one had even considered it! I’ve been calling the PA regularly but to be honest he’s a bit crap. He hadn’t booked a follow up blood test that the doctor had requested previously and his answer to everything is that he isn’t medically trained even if it’s about an appointment!

I’ve drafted a strong email and I’m going to call and get the email of the clinical lead tomorrow and see if that gets things moving.

The doctor may be back in 2 weeks according to the PA but I’m so fed up I’m just going to send it tomorrow. Also there is no guarantee if she will be back and I just want to get things moving .

Go through PALS. With Clinical Director of department copied in.

OK if the doctor is just off for a week or two they may not have rebooked clinics but any longer then it's a patient safety issue as like your DC, people will be needing treatment and getting lost in the system.

A senior business unit manager should be sorting this.

You don’t usually need a referral from the GP if you are paying for the specialist appointment yourself. I guess some specialists may be swamped and so may want a referral just to limit to genuine cases.

If you have medical insurance then the insurer will often want a GP referral before they will cover the specialist’s fee.