Is it easy to change your NHS consultant if you are not happy with yours?

[BorntoDillyDally]

Has anyone successfully changed their gynaecologists at their NHS hospital?

Following decades of gynae issues and despite being a patient for the last 11 years (with yearly appointments), I only discovered that I have endometriosis and adenomyosis end of 2023, at the age of 50 and that was only because I had requested an MRI, if I hadn't I'd still be none the wiser.

I'm finding my consultant to be very condescending and talks over me a lot. I don't feel he is listening to my concerns at all. He offered me several options today and wanted an answer there and then but I said I wanted to think things through (especially as he said none could guarantee relief and could potentially make things worse), he seemed quite pissed off that I wanted to think it through.

I'm honestly not one to make a fuss normally but since experiencing a failed uterine ablation at the same hospital 3 years ago I have been in a lot of pain. The hospital failed to pick up the endometriosis previous to this and now the ablation has caused the adenomyosis (pushed the endometriosis into the walls of my uterus) but I feel this consultant is quite rude to me when I voice my concerns. I don't want to jump in feet first, I want to make an informed choice especially as two of these options are surgeries which both need time to recover after (one would be a hysterectomy).

I just want a consultant who listens and replies in a caring way. I truly feel this person doesn't. If I were to opt for the surgery options I want it done by someone I trust and have faith in. Not too much to ask, is it?

How do I go about changing or will I need to go to another hospital? I've never done anything like this before, always been happy with my NHS consultants.

I am an NHS midwife but also sn NHS patient.

I think you have a legal right to a 2nd opinion. I would phrase it this way. Once you have another consultation and if you are happy with the care, you can diplomatically request for the other doctor to take over your case. Doctors at this level can read between the lines, you won't need to say much.

The other option is to make a formal complaint. I definitely feel you have the grounds where you felt pressurised to make up your mind on the spot. Doctors aren't allowed to retaliate so your care shouldn't suffer.

Thank you Kosenrufugirl
How do I go about getting a second opinion? Should I go through my GP first? Ask them to re-refer me?

I haven't been in your situation before. However yes, I could imagine you ask your GP to re-refer.

Alternatively, you could try going to your local hospital and have a quiet word with the receptionist. If you only have one consultant specialising in your problem then you might need to change hospitals. Hopefully you will speak to someone who is familiar with the department (not just someone covering 1 week of annual leave).

I find the reception staff know quite a lot and could be very helpful

Go and speak to your GP and just tell her what you've said here about not trusting or having any faith in this consultant.
Ask her to refer you to someone else, maybe even at another hospital

You wouldn't need to be re-referred, you are already under the service so contact the secretaries and ask to see another consultant as you would like a second opinion

You could speak to PALS and explain. They are a useful intermediary so can approach the Gynae team on your behalf and get you transferred to another consultant without you having to make a fuss.

Yes I second going through the hospital's PALS department and explain that you would like to change consultants. You shouldn't need to be rereferred to the gynae department as you are already under them, they just need to switch you to a different consultant's caseload.

Thanks everyone.
I'll contact PALS tomorrow, see what they advise and go from there.

No nothing to do with the gp. You ask the hospital for a second opinion. It may or may not be another hospital depending on availability/level of speciality required.