How to go about a private GP appointment.

[Alphabet1spaghetti2]

Would be grateful for any advice as I think my brain has glitched.

How do I go about booking a private GP face to face appointment ? It is for suspected stomach cancer. Is bupa better than Nuffield, do I need to find one that specialises in Gastric or pain relief? Or are they generalists? Google is giving me the impression that I need to book a face to face at a private hospital as opposed to a clinic based GP.

Dh has seen his Nhs GP and has been referred on the two week pathway, but is in pain and needs to know what he is facing. Nhs GP has refused pain relief other than paracetamol and has refused a sick note for his work. Apparently they are two separate issues and need two more appointments - the next available appointment is a month away. He only managed to get an emergency appointment after 2 weeks of daily phoning. Dh was prescribed antacids. He had been referred for blood tests, (2 weeks for results) stool tests (2 weeks for results) and endoscopy. Our local A and E has some of the worst wait times (18+ hours) and understandably Dh would rather be in pain at home rather than on the floor of an and e. The hospital wait for scans which are around 26 weeks.

@Theraffarian my husband has throat cancer. We paid to see a top ENT surgeon in January. Once diagnosed he agreed to treat him on the nhs and we immediately switched over with an operation the following week on the nhs.

Agree it could be a bowel blockage. My 96 year gran had. She was operated on and made a fulll recovery. It is a medical emergency and not something you can ignore. I would definitely be calling tonight to get him assessed.

I have not read through the entire thread.

In the present situation with him in such pain, then you do need advice, and I would go ahead and ring 111 whether he likes it or not. It is you who is having to bear the brunt of the worry and he needs to take that into consideration. It sounds as if he is too unwell to make a rational decision.

111 are likely to send an ambulance and the paramedics will deal with pain relief and no doubt try and persuade him to go in to hospital where his investigations and treatment are likely to be expedited.

As to private treatment. He will get a quicker initial appointment and you can normally self-refer. They have access to NHS medical notes so will be able to see the referral letter and everything else. You will have to pay for the consultation and for investigations/tests/lab fees etc.

I have done this with a heart problem - I am seeing the cardiologist privately and have paid for a number of investigations. Treatment via an angiogram is proposed and he has put me on the NHS list for this as the difference in the wait time does not justify the cost. I am self-funding. I simply asked the GP practice to copy the referral letter over to the private cardiologist via email and then I rang for the initial appointment.

I’ve called 111. They are referring to out of hours dr for a call back. I’m giving it another half hour then we are heading for an and e.

Apologies as not read the whole thread, if you do go the private route for GP and then ongoing tests ask before the GP appointment how long the wait for private tests are. My relative waited four weeks to see a heart consultant, and on another occasion a month for an ultra sound. (They have private health care and have told me it’s getting longer and longer to get appointments because the NHS are sending patients to the private hospitals for appointments and tests - no criticism of this, just stating a fact).

hope he gets some pain relief soon and ongoing treatment asap 💐

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 well done. I really hope you can get some good pain relief for your husband.Thinking of you. My husband was diagnosed with cancer in January so a know a little of what you are going through.

We went straight through to majors and a bed. Waiting for a dr and a hook up to pain relief.

Hope you get better news than you are expecting @Alphabet1spaghetti2

@Theraffarian
i have become one of those patients advocates. If anyone from the nhs is on here - I’m sorry.

Dh was going to be sent away without painkillers - he cried and I lost it.

His bloods might be back as he now has IV painkillers, just had four massive doses of IV antibiotics, and is going for a ct scan and chest x ray soon. He’s finally getting some sleep
due to pain levels being controlled. He’s even managed a coffee. We’ve been told he’s not being released until they find the source of his problems.

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 that's sort of good news for you... at least he's being taken seriously now. I hope it's something that's treatable. I'll be thinking of you both 💐

Yes, glad he's more comfortable and getting some tests.

I'm glad to hear he is being seen at last!
Why were A&E going to send him away without even painkillers?! It's awful that you had to fight so hard for him even to get that. It sounds like he is now being taken seriously, but you'd hope that he would have been taken seriously just with his word and symptoms, not with someone else having to advocate.

I've recently found that the bar for getting GP referrals is quite high but it seems easier once you are actually seeing a consultant and they can refer to each other more easily, so I hope this means he gets the tests he needs soon.

I’m glad you’ve stood your ground and are getting decent pain relief and tests for him .

I’m glad your DH is having some pain relief, I hope you find some answers soon

So pleased you are getting some treatment for your DH. Dig in and don't let them fob you off.

Tests done. Bad news, they are admitting him for urgent investigation for cancer. Waiting for a bed and then I will go home and get a bag packed for him. The ct and x Ray has shown something but we don’t know what.

we thought they would send him home. He’s shell shocked.

So sorry this has happened, hopefully now you will get some answers and know what you're dealing with. My DH had cancer and once he started on the path we couldn't fault the NHS.

Dh was going to be sent away without painkillers - what the hell is happening to our NHS?

I am glad your OH is getting the proper help he needs; I am sorry that you have had to engage in a battle, and that he has been so upset. It is all so very wrong.

Sending a hand hold.

I’m sorry to hear that @Alphabet1spaghetti2 , wishing you both all the strength you need xx

That must be a shock for you both, he is in the right place now, thank goodness you went to hospural. Sending you both positive thoughts and wishing you both all the very best.

Sending very best wishes to you both.

Hope you both get the support and care needed.

Does anyone mind if update here? IRL we only have each other. It helps to get it down.

Dh has moved to a ward and is now on antibiotics, oramorph and liquid iv paracetamol, plus saline drips and liquid antacid. Non of it is making him feel more comfortable. Hoping once he’s settled and slept, things will be better. Endoscopy and probably other stuff scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. I can only visit late afternoon and evenings - which is when I work so I’ve sorted both our employers for now. Will do battle to get a sick note from the gp tomorrow morning. I am going back this evening.

If anyone knows when I will stop being a cry baby, please let me know as I am annoying myself let alone everyone else.

Cry all you want, it's been a very difficult time. If he is still in pain the nurses need to tell the doctors so they can prescribe more. The gp shouldn't give you any grief, just contact the practice and tell them what's happened and either collect it or ask them to send it to you. You can see the gp for yourself too if you need something to help you sleep.

So glad someone has now taken him seriously and he is getting proper care.
Cry all you need, don't try to bottle it up. Try to rest and remember to eat and drink, you need your strength xx Take care