Rubbish Doctor - Can I see an NHS gynae without a referral?

[digitalgirl]

My period seems to have disappeared, am now on CD50. Went to the doctors on CD42 and was referred for a day 19 blood test...that rather assumes my period will return.
How long am I supposed to wait before the doctor will take me seriously and can I just go and see a gynae at the local GUM clinic without a referral?

No cant see NHS consultant without referral. Is there another Dr at your practice you can see, who might be more helpful?

I am presuming you mean gynae clinic not GUM.

I'm not sure, are gynae clinics the same as family planning clinics? I just want to see someone who knows what they're talking about. I suppose I could see another doctor, have lost faith in GPs they see a hundred people a day all with different problems - understandably they probably don't care whether i have a period or not.

DG I searched on the internet to find a local Gyne that I wanted to see, then went into the Dr's and basically had a go at him saying I wasn't happy with what I was being told and that I wanted to speak to someone speciallised in this area who would have more of an idea of what was wrong "so please reffer me to soandso" and to my utter surprise he did! No arguments he just did it. Okay my issue wasn't just with my irregular periods I also wanted answers about my endo but I got my refferal. Bare in mind that when I did see the consultant he was very off the cuff about my weird cycles mentioned stress, weight and possibility of PCOS and said he can run bloods to check that, but didn't... Also it took five weeks for my appointment and even then he had to run tests (the scan) and am not seeing him until the end of November so you wouldn't get instant answers but at least the ball would be rolling.

Another option would be to pay to see either a consultant privatley (quicker option) or to have a pivate scan? A scan would confirm or deny the possibility of a pregnancy and they may be able to see any scaring, cysts or anything like that that could be causing problems.

I certainly felt better after my scan as I felt anthing serious she would have seen.

Hmm... It's your GP's job to care whether you have a period or not surely? Regardless of how many patients he has? My GP is an angel, and half my appointment is usually devoted to whining about DP - there is nothing doc can do but he knows I like to have a moan so he lets me. Off-topic, but anyway!

What my salient point is, is that you should be able to see another doctor for a second opinion whenever you are unhappy/want confirmation of something/just fancy it.
Maybe ask at reception?

You still need a gp referal to see a private dr. Unfortunatley you will hae to go back and demand a referal.

DG where do you live? I am searching as we speak.

You do need a GP referral, I'm afraid - can you see another partner at the practice?

Or I suppose you could try turning up at the GUM clinic claiming you are worried about a potential STD ('an ex-partner tells me he has herpes and I'm very worried) and see if you can start talking about your primary condition once you are there... bit naughty, though. And STD clinics are Not Nice Places to hang out.

(I mean, most areas have a clinic you can go to without referral for suspected STDs, don't mean just turning up at hospital and following signs to GUM outpatients.)

goingfor3 I emailed the consultant I am now seeing on the NHS and got offered a private appointment by his secretary. They were quiet good acctually told me the price of seeing him privatley but reccomended to get a GP refferal so I could see him free. Then again I do have a diagnosis under my belt.

I know I felt more in control after I had searched for someone I wanted to see who I felt could help me rather than being stuck with my GP who I didn't feel understod my anxieties or who really cared.

www.specialistinfo.com/thget.php?t=t_rrsi&r=LNwomen's you need to pay a small fee of something like £5 I think to get the full listing of the DR's name and contact details ect but I found my consultant on this website. As you will see it's NHS and Private so you can see who's out there. Hope it helps. Find someone, contact them and see what they say. It felt funny emailing some of my medical history to a stranger's secretary but I got a response and feel so much better for it. The worst they can say is that they won't see you without a refferal and you can take that to your GP and say I want a refferal. My GP didn't argue with me. I was at breaking point though

sorry bit more info... you need to get back to the home page

www.specialistinfo.com/index.php

then register, (pay fee) then follow through special interests, go via your area and where it says "Consultant" on the intital page I displayed it will acctually give you a Dr's name and a link to further info about where that Dr practices and when.

I hope it helps.

sorry I don't mean to bombard you with TMI but if you decide to use this site to find someone who might be more helpful try looking via menstrual it brought up this whole list of clinics in London www.specialistinfo.com/thget.php?t=t_rrsi&r=LNmenstrual

that's brilliant! thank you everyone and thank you very much pixie...I'll start making some phonecalls on Monday, see if I can find a consultant and book in to see a GP to get my referral (think it's too early to start throwing money at this problem).

dg x