Private Diagnosis Bypassing Gp

[barry1010]

Is it possible to get a diagnosis for a suspected medical condition without getting referred by the GP?
I understand this could cost a lot of money but would prefer to take this route. Of course if the condition is confirmed I would expect the GP to be informed.
I can't find a way to do it.

[calmck]

You could try finding a specialist in the area where you live and speak to the secretary saying you want to go as a private patient. Check the consultants who work at your local hospital. It should say if they see private patients and where

[woofgang]

yes you can. Go and look on the Bupa website as a starting point.

[LadyCG]

You could consult a Dr abroad. Poland and Czech Republic are popular.

[ichkeria]

Our medical system appears to have ground to a halt because of the virus. Rather worrying

[barry1010]

I am not going abroad but I will check out BUPA, thanks

[AuntPollyGrey]

Barry it is fairly straightforward. Do a Google search in your area for a private hospital then look on their website for their list of departments. When you find the relevant department give them a call and they will take it from there. Few people realise that you can have an initial private consultation then the follow up treatment can be done within the NHS if required.
For goodness sake don't go abroad.

[davebro]

Benenden ? https://www.benenden.co.uk/health/health-assessments/#!five-levels

[KARL]

Private treatment in the UK is likely to be virtually immediate as opposed to NHS being "sometime, maybe". Everything around the private treatment is likely to be strikingly more transparent than within the NHS, all matters hopefully being well out in the open, including administrative issues. The same will be the case abroad but in most places it will be cheaper than in the UK. One can expect private treatment both in the UK and abroad to be good. In the event of hospitalisation, perhaps unless in a strictly private facility, you are quite possibly less at risk of acquired illness (including Covid) if abroad rather than in the UK.

[barry1010]

Thanks, APG. Hopefully I'll be able to track down a specialist.

Thanks all

[barry1010]

As there is no treatment for this condition, just management, it is diagnosis only that I want.
There is no real urgency but I do want to get the wheels in motion.

[Peter Pedant]

// Few people realise that you can have an initial private consultation then the follow up treatment can be done within the NHS if required.//

we were soooooo against that - and yes you can

er get the name of a surgeon who does private
and ring up the secretary and say I dont want to be referred until AFTER
oh and saying you will pauy cash helps

and remember from my posts to Baldric - that everyone thinks is dangerous nonsense ( thank you naomi ) that the GP is the gate keeper of future management and so MUST be involved sooner rather than later

oh and good luck

[Peter Pedant]

// As there is no treatment for this condition, just management, it is diagnosis only that I want.//

erm wrong way round
diagnosis first and THEN the doctors say ....

( taken from Sir Jas Paget ( well what does HE know about medicine for chrissakes ) - oh sir James , you tell me what needs doing and then the best man to do it 1880)

[naomi24]

//remember from my posts to Baldric - that everyone thinks is dangerous nonsense ( thank you naomi )//

Your posts to Baldric are nothing to do with me. Leave me out of your manic ramblings.

[barry1010]

So far I have checked BUPA, Nuffield, Ramsay and Spire and the search boxes give no results for this condition. Looks as if I'll have to ring round tomorrow.

[Ringlet]

The private clinics local to me (Northern Ireland) will take private patients for initial specialist consultation but only if the patient is referred by a GP. Patients cannot ring up and request an appointment, even a private one, with referral.

[Peter Pedant]

//Your posts to Baldric are nothing to do with me. Leave me out of your manic ramblings.// someone


"The last time you blathered on about diagnosis and treatment being delayed your advice was irresponsible and dangerous." wrote a solicitous poster, anxious that any medical advice should be of the highest quality, and yet still caring in a patient centric way

I confess I cannot recall at the moment who that was.
surely the two cannot be related ?

[naomi24]

PP, //I confess I cannot recall at the moment who that was.//

Yes you can - and it was nothing to do with anything you posted to Baldric. You posted dangerous advice on cancer diagnosis and treatment. That you dislike being told so is quite simply tough. Now, do us all a favour and either shut up or grow up.

[Sqad]

Presume from your posts that you know what speciality you are interested in, then just look up on the internet the nearest private hospitals, pick your Medical Man and then phone the hospital that fits the bill.
Quite often, the receptionist answering your call, may suggest a doctor

[Maydup]

^^ or woman!

[Sqad]

Maydup ????
I don't don't follow.