Difficulty organising private referral

[afrikat]

Went to the GP a few months ago due to various period related symptoms. He wanted to send me for a scan. I said I could do it privately but he encouraged me to stick with the NHS for the scan and take it from there

The scan showed uterine polyps and now they want to rescan and potentially do a hysteroscopy. I definitely want to go private at this point.

I called the Dr surgery last week. Was on hold for 90 minutes and never got through. Tried again several times that week, but was always position 20+. Finally today I got through to reception, explained the issue and asked if they could get a message to the GP asking them to do a referral

No. I need to speak to a Dr. OK, can I make an appointment? No, there are no bookable appointments. I have to call at 8am, wait on hold, and ask for a same day call back. Why is this so hard?? Aren't same day appointments for emergencies? They already have all the details and background why can't they just refer me??

I had very similar recently. Needed a referral for some uti symptoms I keep getting but told to make a routine appointment for which spaces go within minutes whilst I’m always on hold. Can you lay it on a bit and say your symptoms are getting worse?

Is there any other way to contact your surgery? Mine has a 'contact us' form, which you can't use for appointments, but can use to get documents/results from the surgery.

I agree, however, that the system is bonkers. As a person from another country, where if you want to access private healthcare, you just book directly with whatever specialist you want to see, I find it crazy that in the UK, even if I want to go privately, I still need a referral from GP gatekeeper. I have some endocrine issues and for a long time the GP would fob me off - all they'd do is one blood test, the results would come back normal because they hardly tested for anything, and refuse to do anything else. Only after I went to an endocrinologist in my home country and they actually did something for me was I able to get a referral from the GP here by showing the results and concerns from the foreign specialist.

I could say its getting worse but I don't think that would help getting around the process. I'd still need to speak to a Dr to get referred onwards and that's only possible by calling on the day, spending god knows how long on hold, and hoping there is an appointment left. Which I am taking away from someone actually ill. It's so annoying!

Nope, no other way of contacting them. There is an email but no one ever reads them I don't think - I've tried emailing in the past and never had a response

It does seem crazy that for my private insurance to agree to booking me an appointment I need the GP to write a letter. All I'm saying to the GP is 'here are my symptoms I want a referral' and they write one. How is this a sensible way of doing things??

Write the named doctor a letter via postal service, the old fashioned way. Say "as previously discussed please refer me to the private service at xxx hospital". It will be scanned into your notes and dealt with by said doctor. (Ex medical secretary.)

Are you self-funding, or via insurance? If you’re paying for this yourself you don’t necessarily need a referral. If it’s via insurance then most will want a referral.

You can go direct to the private hospital. Just look up the Consultant speciality you want to see e.g. "Gynaecologist at Nuffield Hospital" and book online. I bypassed my GP completely. Other private healthcare providers probably have similar way of booking online. Good luck

Wow I never knew this! Am going to try at 8am tomorrow but if I don't get through I'll try this, thank you

Going through insurance and they mandate a GP referral 🤨

Unfortunately I can't do this if I want insurance to cover it - they need the GP referral to allow me to book 😪

Just book a private appointment online then ask the GP receptionist to get the doctor to write a referral to the consultant. I have had private referrals without ever seeing the GP.

I'd try to get a private GP appointment as they should be able to make a referral.

I asked the receptionist to get the Dr to write a letter. She said no, they couldn't do that. I have to have an appointment

In order for my insurance to cover my treatment I have to get approval first. In order to get approval I need a GP letter

Aha I didn't think of that! Think I can access a private GP through my private insurance. Will investigate this, thanks

Why do you need to go through your gp for a referral? Whenever I've paid for private treatment, I've gone directly to the surgeon /private hospital.
Scrap that... Just seen your update. Get a private gp to refer you

I'm not paying for it, I am going through insurance. Insurance need a GP letter to authorise

Try speaking to the secretaries rather than reception. There often an option on the phone system to go through to them.

It's so much better going through the insurers private GP service, same day appointments, and in the evening too!

Yes going to investigate this

I have also used insurer's private GP service for this, could do it on a video call.

You should be able to get a referral from a private GP.

I did this and my insurance didn't ask if it was NHS GP.

So I've just gone into my insurance app to try and book a private GP and it doesn't look like I have that option. Will call them tomorrow to check

Are you with Bupa?

Ask the receptionist to book you a telephone appt for another day if they are all booked up. I called the other day, they told me to call again 8am the next day. I asked them can you not book me an appt for another day. They said no, but then they changed their mind and said for a telephone appt they could.

If that fails I would go through 111. They can book you a gp telephone appt. However, you will need to go through an assessment first. I would probably just say your symptoms are heavy vaginal bleeding. Then you'll get asked various questions and as long as it doesn't pick up anything serious like an ambulance or a&e it should be fine. You'll want to call in the morning when all the appts are available to book.

No, AXA