Physiotherapy - Is it worth going privately?

[Lakette]

I am feeling very frustrated - We were finally able to see a paediatrician 4 weeks ago who advised me that my dd (now nearly 7 months and this all started when she was less than 3 months) needs to see a physio and a speech and language therapist - it is now four weeks and having just contacted the doctors secretary (how annoying are they???) it seems she has been referred and we will be getting a letter but only to tell us that she will be getting an appointment in the next 12 weeks!!!!!!
I wouldnt care but they have said that as she is under 1 she is considered high priority but I would hate to see what low priority would be like! - I am just getting very frustrated because it feels like we have just come to a standstill and all our appointments are after July (When I asked about her MRI Scan results I was told once again by a doctors secretary that everything was essentially normal but we would have to wait until our appointment in late June to discuss the detail - I mean what does essentially normal mean??)
Anyway having spoken to DH he is now on for usgoing privately to get her some physio and just wondered if it was worth it or is it just Lambeth as we are moving to Bromley in next few weeks???

We have the same issue for DS who is 5. He won't be INVITED to even make an appt. until 12 wks post-referral and then another wait for the actual appt. OT is the same waiting period. Nightmare isn't it. Sorry - no useful suggestions, just sympathy!

how is she developing atm?

is she rolling?

why is there all the concern? has she had chromosome tests etc>

If she is only 7 months I wouldnt be too alarmed to wait for the nhs tbh, but I dont know your daughters backgorund

Have you offered to take a cancellation ? 12 weeks seems to be typical for referral - dd saw an orthopaedic specialist about 3 months on - but ds (now 8) is likely to wait over a year for an OT assessment and I can't even find a private one locally.

Hi Lakette
Our ds was refered at birth for physio & had his first assessment at about 4 months.
We looked for private physio while waiting for his first appnt & just could not find a private physio who specialised in paediatrics.
Once we got the first appnt the NHS service was (&still is)fantastic.
Although during the first 6 months they really did very little other than observe & check things
like postioning & how ds was laying & how much play time was being spent on his tummy etc.
Obviously all circumstances are different but if you are able to find a physio it may be worth using them just for some guidance & to help while you are waiting. If not try not to worry (easy to say I know) I certainly don't think our DS is any worse off for that initial wait.

Thanks for messages - No she isnt rolling or doing anything that her peer group are - the problem area seems to be her shoulders which seem to be really weak which means that she subsequently cant reach out for things or bear any weight on her arms when on her front
Things arent really helped by the fact that she cant seem to see properly so doesnt really have the inclination to reach out and all she wants to do is lay on her back and look at her hand!!! Feel like I am really struggling at the moment and starting to feel a bit overcome by it all!!

As a medical secretary I apologise on behalf of my colleagues....

My guess would be 'essentially normal' would mean that the doctor has written 'normal' on it and that's all he/she is allowed to say... but who knows.

My advice would be, if you want to and can afford it - ring your GP's secretary again and ask her whether your local physio dept sees people privately. Get her to ring if you can, or ask for the number and ring yourself.

If they don't do private appointments, then ask them if they can recommend someone who does.

If you want to have a go at speech &lang as well, I think \link{http://www.helpwithtalking.com/default.asp\this database} is good.

Unbearable to have to wait but with any luck it will be good care when you get there as stapo says. The waiting list seems about the same as we have in another area.