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Original poster

Useless f**king consultant. What are my options on the NHS (or private?)

44 replies

rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 17:11

Hello, my ds has been unwell for some time now and it looks like the worst of his symptoms are starting up again this week.
So, as both the GP and paediatrician are worse than useless, is there anyone out there that can advise me on what I can demand on the NHS? EG. can I demand a referral to a specific hospital department or specialist?
Or, failing that, as my GP surgery have 3 times given us a private referral letter that contains the wrong fking information can I just book an appointment with a paediatrician and start again in the hope that I might actually get some help for ds?

Thanks. Apologies for the bad language.

OP posts:
bundle · 12/06/2007 17:12

I think you will always need a referral, even if it's private. what kind of problem is it?

policywonk · 12/06/2007 17:14

I think you have the right to a second opinion - ie, to see a different paed and hope they are more use?

Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 17:18

Hi, thanks for the replies. We haven't had a diagnosis yet so that's another problem!
He has chronic fatigue, a swollen lymph node in his neck, unexplained fevers, frequent urination and the only thing that his blood test shows is an elevated level of an enzyme called LDH (lactate dehydrogenase.) The consultant is telling me not to worry (followed by a pat on the head or so it feels )
How is that possible?

OP posts:
bundle · 12/06/2007 17:20

sounds odd. whereabouts do you live?

dinosaur · 12/06/2007 17:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 17:24

It is bundle. This is the third time the worst of the symptoms have come up again (always preceded by this excessive urination); he has a few good weeks in between and then it starts again. I may just be paranoid of course and he isn't going into a dip again but I think he is.

Sorry-we're in Teddington (near kingston/richmond/twickenham if you're unfamiliar with it.)

Thanks for the reply.

OP posts:
policywonk · 12/06/2007 17:25

oh dear - Kingston hospital?

bundle · 12/06/2007 17:26

under choose & book you are supposed to be offered 5 options and then um choose & book. were you offered that?

Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 17:27

Hi policywonk-we're currently at Kingston hosp and really geting nowhere. We had an appointment with the consultant, for the first time, on Dec 28th last year and have never spoken to him since. His secretary has spoken to us many times but he just will not commit to anything for us. He seems to be hopeful that this LDH level will decrease and that will be it-even our GP commented that "it doesn't sound like he knows what it is, or doesn't want to say so soon."

OP posts:
policywonk · 12/06/2007 17:30

Have no medical expertise whatsoever (don't want to mislead you), just know that Kingston hospital has a pretty dodgy rep.

I would make a fuss about getting a second opinion - maybe do a bit of googling, see if you can find a paed on the NHS who sounds as though they might know a bit more about this area, and request a referral from your GP?

Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 17:33

Hi Bundle, we had to have a rather tense conversation with the GP to get the referral. I was just given a letter with the names and contact numbers of some Paediatricians listed-as we didn't know what the actual problem was we couldn't choose any specific one. Is that what you mean?

OP posts:
Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 17:34

Thanks policywonk-that does actually help. At least I know it may not just be us!

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/06/2007 17:35

rabbit - you are entitled to a second opinion on the NHS. You can ask to be referred to a named consultant either privately or on the NHS.

You need a recommendation for a good (general I suppose?) paed. What's your nearest specialist children's hospital?

noddyholder · 12/06/2007 17:35

I would insist on a referral elsewhere.I know that LDH can be raised in some immunology conditions.Could you afford a referral to a private immunologist who could run a whole load of tests?He shouldn't be suffering like this What tests have they done Blood?Liver?Kidneys? I had a bad experience at kingston a&e when I lived in Wimbledon two young doctors were on teh outside of the curtain reading my notes They poked their head round the curtain and asked if I had any kids I did ds was 2 at the time and one said to the other 'She won't see his 21st!' Insist someone else sees him

bundle · 12/06/2007 17:36

what about St Thomas's? could you try for a ref there?

foxinsocks · 12/06/2007 17:36

I would just take that letter from the GP and book an appointment privately then. We saw someone at St Anthony's (in Sutton) who was lovely. I wouldn't choose the private hospitals near here (Aspen and Victoria - not sure they do children anyway) - or maybe go for the Cromwell or even the Portland.

Other than that, there are plenty of places on Harley Street where you could get another opinion (privately).

As for the NHS, you can ask for another opinion. You should be able to go to another hospital (West Mid or St George's normally) but you will probably have to go through the whole waiting list thing again.

Sorry I can't give you names but we only saw paediatricians with specific interests in what was wrong with the children iyswim!

policywonk · 12/06/2007 17:36

Great Ormond St would be the nearest?

policywonk · 12/06/2007 17:37

nearest children's hosp, I mean

foxinsocks · 12/06/2007 17:45

we saw Markiewicz at Chelsea and Westminster for dd's allergies. I am pretty sure he goes general paediatrics privately too (I think at the Cromwell but you'd have to check).

He is excellent with the children - some find him a bit gruff with the adults but we always thought he was OK. He is highly thought of afaik.

motherinferior · 12/06/2007 17:48

I've interviewed him, ages ago, thought he was great.

bundle · 12/06/2007 17:57

i thought i had too, MI, but now I come to think of it, I think it was Harvey Markovitz

Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 18:05

Thank you everyone, this is great. I was concerned about the GP's referral letter because they said things like "he was treated for tonsilitis and infected tonsils" when that was never the case and I didn't want the focus of any other consultant to be pointed in the wrong direction iyswim?

Since December they've only ran complete blood counts-this is where the elevated LDH level is showing. We have numerous questions re this but can't get the consultant to talk to us directly.

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions; I would welcome any more consultant names that anyone has for me. I am off to google Markiewicz now!

OP posts:
noddyholder · 12/06/2007 18:07

Did he never have tonsillitis?I had post strep immunolgy problems which could have been treated when i was a child but weren't and I got really ill at 19 Please get him seen the doctors are sometimes wrong xx

foxinsocks · 12/06/2007 18:09

this is him rabbit

he is still at the Cromwell it seems.

he was fab with dd, I nearly cried when we saw him I was so grateful (think pph has had dealings with him too)!

Original poster
rabbitrabbit · 12/06/2007 18:11

No, he never had it at all. The lump at the back of his throat isn't infected or sore-it's just there. It's all very bizarre-it seems to be since he had chickenpox last April.
Another thing is that any viral infection he gets completely knocks him for six-he's had something recently (though he was also around a few children who had chickenpox and I;'m wondering now if that's kicked all this off once more...) and I'm wondering if this is the knock-on effect of that?

Thanks again to all.

OP posts: