Do I need a GP referral to see a consultant priivately?

[Shh2012]

I need to see a gynaecologist. will pay as I want my issuing sorting out asap. In the old days, ie last time I needed to see a specialist, the only way was by referral from GP. Is it still the same?

My DBro went to the local BUPA hospital to see a private consultant - he just paid a fee. There was no referral, GP had told him there was nothing wrong. Private consultant diagnosed kidney stones .

There's just a number for the hospital that you ring and they put you through to the relevant specialist's secretary. If you're paying, you can see whoever you like.

Usually is it e.g. BUPA like you to have a GP referred appointment with the consultant and once the consultant has come up with a plan, BUPA will look into fast tracking it. However it's worth giving it a go without - it's just that most medics don't want appointments with people who think they need to seem them, they'd rather have appointments with people who DO need to seem them (if that makes sense).

didireally I can assure you that I have no intention of throwing away approx £300 for initial consultation and wasting an hour of my life going to see a specialist if I don't need to see one. I do need to see a gynaecologoist - I have a cervical polyp that was picked up by the nurse during a routine smear test.

Thanks emsyj I thought I'd seen an ad recently for our local private hospital with consultant's details and secretaries phone number too, so what your DBro did makes sense and is what I'd like to do. Very difficult to get an appt with my GP and I want it sorting asap.

I hope you get an appointment without referral - if not, and since the polyp was noted by the nurse (at your practice?) if the consultant insists on a letter, it could be worth trying ringing your practice secretary and asking if they can sort out a quick letter and get the GP to sign it without seeing you. If they already know about the issue it can sometimes work.

Check the private hospital website it will tell you which departments need a referral and which you can book directly. I needed a referral to see the private gynae. Good luck and hope that you get sorted soon.

Thanks joan that's a very good idea. I've had one before and I did have private health insurance then so I had to have a referral letter. But it still took about 3 weeks from going to see my GP to getting it removed. I believe, in my area at least, a referral still has to be done by letter so it can take a while. Hopefully won't need one but will make some calls to find out on Monday.

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply you don't need to see a specialist. It's just that consultants (in my limited experience) assume that patients are incapable of figuring things out. I had my GP complete a private referral form which I emailed the practise - I made it clear I'd be wasting her time making a GP apt. and the NHS time when I could get it privately. She emailed it back to me within the hour. The BUPA hospital weren't interested in hearing from me without the form - but as in your case, how likely is it I'd be wanting hernia surgery on a whim...

I asked this question when I felt I needed to see someone and was prepared to pay, but my GP surgery were delaying the referral letter.

The consultant's secretary told me that they don't need a referral, but they prefer to have one. I suppose it acts as a screening process and ensures that the consultant knows what the issue is from someone who 'speaks his language.'