Referral issue

[lamacorn]

Posting here for traffic.

It's a bit long so hope you make it to the end.

I've had an ED for a very long time. Always denied it.

6 weeks ago I finally plucked up the courage and filled out a questionnaire and emailed it to my GP. She said she'd refer me.

So far she hasn't done anything. When I spoke to her Friday she said it was because I needed to sign the referral form. I said I would. She said it would need to be end of next week because her computer was broken?!

Did anyone else have to sign referral forms?

Also in. A large surgery, with multiple GPs and admin staff, do they not have more than 1 computer to print referral forms from?

She also said the wait would be about 1 year.

I really wish I hadn't said anything. I googled the local service and it says all referrals are done via phone so no form! Also says referrals shouldn't be delayed but made immediately.
And that there would be a phone call for an assessment within 7 days.

Why is my GP telling fibs? What possible purpose can this serve?
Ultimately she isn't going to refer me is she? She clearly just hoping that I'll go away.

Any experiences?

I've no experience, but can you change your GP? She sounds like a hindrance rather than a help.

Not really. She's by far the best one there. The rest are hopeless.

Anyone know why she would be stalling or avoiding making the referral like this?

I've never known GPs to make referrals here. Its self referral for us and takes months.

I work as a CPN in referrals and assessment service. We signpost referrals to secondary services. EDU is one of them. We have to complete EDU referrals with info from GP and sometimes other services eg IAPT.

We’ve never required patients sidnatures.

I’m not sure how long waiting lists are but am aware many services shut their lists over lockdown meaning a bottleneck now. Obviously this is different if someone’s eating disorder is life threatening eg very low BMI or their U&Es are badly damaged through repeated self induced vomiting

@Spidey66 thank you. That's useful.
I don't quite understand the signature thing or how all their computers were too broken to print the form. It's a bit strange.

Could it be because she can't refer me because the services isn't actually running and she doesn't want to tell me that?

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut you can't self refer to ED services here. It's via GP. Or at least that's what she said (GP).

Certainly validated my original position that living with the ED is much easier than getting help for it.

I would suggest you ring up the ED service and ask them about their referral process. You don't have to give your name.

@Pirandello24 I'll see if I can find a phone no for them. Maybe I can do that.