Hospital won't transfer me - any advice?

[StubbornClinic]

Had my first mammogram last week. Got a letter two days ago saying they want to do further tests at an assessment clinic. The clinic is further away than my local hospital, which also has a breast cancer unit.

I am diagnosed with anxiety, on meds and in long term therapy. 5 years ago I had a breakdown and have worked hard to be able to hold down a job and some local travelling. My anxiety actually centres around travelling, particularly to new places and distance. I have never before visited this clinic.

I have asked the clinic they want me to go to, if I can be transferred to my local hospital with the breast cancer unit. They have refused saying it's not part of their policy. They say they will only consider it if I get a diagnosis and they refer me.

As I'm sure you all know, it's nerve wracking enough to have further tests, but the travelling on top is really ramping things up to another level.

Is there anything I can do to try and get them to transfer?

Help!

Unfortunately the NHS doesn’t always work in the way that would be best for an individual. I would suggest that you speak to your GP on Monday. I assume that they know about your mental health issues and will also know how local services work for further investigations after mammogram. It may be that the facilities you need just are not present at your preferred hospital eve; though actual treatment if breast cancer if diagnosed is done there.
Your GP can give you information and can advocate for you if an alternative location for testing is possible, or perhaps help with transport. They may well have access to a hospital cars service

I had a similar situation with my first mammogram. I had the screening mammogram at a mobile unit and was then recalled for more tests at a district general hospital about 15 miles away. I live about 3 miles from a teaching hospital with a large breast cancer centre.

The first hospital were totally inflexible when I asked to have the follow up at the nearer hospital and quite nasty over the phone, I spoke to several people. The reason given was that that is how the Mammogram screening service works! It was awful and I was so worried about being recalled in the first place.

My GP was able to change it to the nearer hospital and I did attend the one stop clinic there and got the all clear. (I think I was booked in as if I had found a lump) I also changed to be included in their screening programme and I needed more tests after my second mammogram so I would have had problems again if I hadn't.

Thank you @Sussexmidwife and @vjg13.

I've checked my local hospital and it does have the facilities there (and a friend has recently been there for assessment after mammogram so I know it has equipment necessary) but can only access if referred. Alternative transport wouldn't help at all, I'm even worse as a passenger (I've had to take valium previously).

The sticking point is the policy, which says I cannot transfer there unless I have been referred medically (by GP or by the professional I would see at assessment). I think a phone call to my GP may be the way forward, as you say they know my MH history.

If you have such level of anxiety at the prospect of travelling to another hospital to the point of needing valium to go that distance, then you need your gp to write to the CCG to explain your situation is exceptional and ask for them to agree to deviate from the normal pathway.

It's likely the hospital is refusing because they've been told they wouldn't receive payment if seeing patients referred following this pathway.

Thanks @Dontdisturbmenow

I've contacted my GP, their secretary has spoken to the clinic who insist that I must go to them and cannot be transferred, because they have no other test to compare it to is I need to see them again. The secretary also phoned my local hospital to see if they would take me on, but they said they wouldn't accept me. I thanked her for taking the time, and felt she at least understood where I was coming from.

I'm disappointed that policy is driving this at the expense of my mental health. I've woken up with cystitis too, I'm sure that's come about because of the stress.

That's so disappointing that they are being so inflexible. My GP told them to send my mammogram results electronically to the second hospital and it was fine.

Some private hospitals offer a one stop breast screening service where you can get everything done, would that be an option if it's closer?