How can we force a transfer from current hospital to new one?

[lightasafairy]

I have just posted about issues we are having with mum’s treatment at a local NHS hospital www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3712811-Urinary-Incontinence-Overactive-Bladder-OAB-is-she-receiving-correct-treatment. This question is about switching from this hospital to another preferred one for treatment – we have so far failed to achieve this. Does anyone know how we achieve this? and our rights to do so?

At the beginning of this process my mum wanted to go to a particular hospital for treatment (that we have confidence in) – mum had initially accepted the referral to local tertiary centre which her GP insisted she undertake first but pretty soon after Mum changed her mind (after numerous appointmnets were cancelled on her even once she had arrived at the hospital for treatment, when they lost her notes). She has been trying to move hospitals ever since but at different stages of the process this move has been seemingly 'blocked' by the medics:

1. Her GP who started the process insisted she be seen by the local service.

2. The specialist she saw at the local hospital who made comments such as 'we can handle it.’ whenever she raised a transfer.

3. The 3rd party preferred hospital who were also not being clear about the transfer process and who ultimately green light it?

She has been repeatedly told by her current hospital that she must finish her particular treatment and THEN they will agree to transfer - but each time they refuse and ask her to attend for next line of treatment!

As I was able to attend her last meeting I told them I thought that a person has the right to be treated in any NHS hospital they want – they replied they are unable to transfer and we must revert to the GP who is able to transfer/refer! – unfortunately this new information has taken over 2 years to be relayed to my mum.

Is anyone able to advise on this as am now totally confused having been told so many contradictory things by various parties. How can she get transferred? - she really does not want any procedure under the current hospital. I would appreciate any advice ASAP. Thanks very much.

I’ve always gone back to my GP and said I’m not happy at x hospital I would like to go to Y hospital. They’ve always done the referral.

And while you should have a right to do it the CCG has to agree to fund the treatment because the new hospital will bill them for it. But if it’s the same/similar treatment there shouldn’t be an extra cost to them. That’s what my GP said anyway.

mmm...we have a GP that refused to do this at the very beginning of this process.

But you can go back now and say you've tried the local hospital and aren't happy with it for whatever reason and they may be more amenable to it now you've tried it.

The NHS constitution should back you up

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/can-i-choose-where-to-receive-treatment/

I believe a transfer of care may need to be done consultant to consultant. (note: I am not an expert- just that when I asked to be transferred to a more local service after moving this was how it was done).
You may be better to speak with PALs and ask them the correct procedure for the particular hospital, because it may vary by location.

Not an expert. From my experience, it depends if you are being transferred within the same CCG or outside. I've always had to be referred by my GP when requesting transfers or a hospital of preference.

Surely going via GP would delay the process even more as you have to go back on the waiting list? I am fairly sure consultant to consultant is the best way for continuity of care etc etc. However, like I said, not an expert and it may vary greatly between hospitals/circumstance.