How do I get GP to refer dd out of our area?

[PrettyCandles]

We're in Berks, and I want dd to be refered to the Royal Homeopathic in London. GP was non-committal, said she would have to ask local authority for permission, but would do it if I wrote her a letter. She didn't seem to think it likely to be approved. So what do I need to say to persuade them?

Anyone?

Please could someone help me?

I don't even know whether I have the right to insist on this referal, or whether there is something I can say that will increase my chance of getting the referal that I want.

Surely there must be MNers who have been in this situation.

hello pc. i'm not 100% sure the homeopathic hospitals has nhs funding any more, it might be worth doing some digging.

I'm not 100% sure but I think the PCT has to agree to an out-of-area referral, especially to a non NHS hospital or clinic (I am assuming - maybe wrongly - that the Royal Homeopathic is a private hospital?)

And as it costs them more, the PCT may say no. Worth a letter from you though outlining exactly why you want the referral and why it needs to be out of area, and why the care or treatment you need can't be provided locally.

Homeopathic hospital is NHS, part of UCLH
But is the issue about whether the treatment is needed, rather than where it's done?

oh yes, tn is right

The issue - for me, anyway - is that at the moment everyone involved in dd's care insists on seeing only their part of the picture, and refuses to consider the whole picture, that her various issues may be related.

I have spoken (informally) to a Nurse Practitioner at Guys and St Thomas, and to a consultant at the Royal Homeopathic, and they both immediately looked at the whole picture, made connections between dd's issues, and suggested that she ought to be refered to the RHH for treatment.

poor dd pc . what's wrong with her?

Can the RHH give advice on getting the referral? Could you write a letter setting out why you would like the referral - stating that the consultant at the RHH has suggested it would be a good idea?

Chronic catarrh and cough (reduced but not totally controlled by inhaler - GP says no way of identifying the allergen, they'll just up the dose and give her antihistamines ), hearing loss (apparently un-related to the 'allergy', yet will get worse if she has a cold with catarrh!), urinary problems, and now tummy-aches and bowel problems as well.

I'm trying her on strictly dairy-free ATM.

oh dear. homeopathy does sound a good plan, but i don't know the magic formula you need. i will ask around at work (health policy think tank) next week & see if anyone has any bright ideas.

Thankyou HC!

I took lots of notes when talking to the Guys and RHH people, but cannot find the consultant's name anywhere! I feel like a complete idiot to have lost something so important.

I don't know if scientific references would be helpful?

This kind of thing
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WXX-48HXDX3-8&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=searc h&sort=d&view=c&acct=C000050221&version=1&urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=bb04aacc3d5f482e108d423d84 ed6285

It sounds like some of her symptoms are on the list of conditions for which homeopathic treatment may be beneficial

I don't think you have the right to insist on a referral, though

Not 100& certain but thought that recent changes tot he NHS meant that you could be seen by anyone anywhere- just by asking GP.

If not, can you afford to go private and then you can see them?

girlnextdoor, only if your GP thinks a referral is needed / appropriate. Then you can choose which hospital you are referred to.

This from the BMA:

"GPs are obliged under their contracts or agreements with primary care organisations (PCOs) to refer patients for services available under the NHS, and referral to complementary therapists should not therefore be considered a contractual requirement. However, referral to NHS doctors at one of the five NHS homeopathic hospitals or NHS homeopathic clinics in cases where GPs and their patients think such treatment is appropriate would fulfil the contractual responsibility. "

from this here

Sure, but if you can offer to pay they are only too willing to write that letter!

Can you not self-refer to a homeopathic hospital- or thinking outside the box, can't you see a homeopath anyway? Many who work at the RHH see patients privately.

It's a tricky one, especially as so much has been published lately that is anti- homeopathy- I can see that some GPs would think it a waste of money if they don't believe in it.

may be some useful info in this article

Choose and book has got a bad press from many and most gps hate it, saying most people want local referrals anyway. I recently wanted my daughter referred to an ME Specialist who is based in Bath who is under choose and book. My gp initially said we would have to get PCT approval (which seemed unlikely) but when this was not forthcoming, specially signed up to choose and book just for DD. This does depend on your GPs attitude, plus whether the homeopathic hosp do choose and book. good luck