Scan No Scan

[stix96]

My doctor told me that she can't send me directly for scans anymore, it has to be a consultant; is this true and why? Is there a doctor on here who can clarify? What is the logic or sense behind it?

My GP referred me for an abdominal scan recently.
Maybe it depends what type of scan it is, or what your local protocol is? You can probably find guidelines on the NICE website.

All areas of the country are different. So there's no hard and fast rule. Rules change and as there's a shortage of radiologists and ultrasonographers then this is a way of controlling access.

I was surprised to be referred for a scan by the GP when I thought I would see the consultant first. As it happened it came back with some incidental findings unrelated to the reason I consulted the doctor which I would have rather have been unaware of.