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Private referral as can't get an appt with GP

Jenijen81
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Hi everyone, I've just joined the forum.

 

Has anybody initially gone private to get a referral? How does it all work? 

I can't get an appointment with my GP. Patients have to call at 8am for a same day appointment, they are so busy that we redial 100+ times before we can get through and by then all the appointments are gone and we are told to try again the following day. I'm always mid school run at 8am so it's really difficult anyway. The receptionist is very inflexible and tells me to go to A and E if it's urgent...

If I was to go private, would they do the same things as an initial GP appointment? (Examine me and refer on if necessary?)

A bit of background about me, if it helps. I've just turned 40 and have 4 children under ten. I've been having irregular, heavy periods for about 8 months (17-28 day cycles when they were always 30 days), lots of discharge (some blood stained), lots of spotting between cycles (everyday for the past month), heavier vaginal bleeding with a bowel movement, low tummy cramps, a bit of back ache and fatigue (although I've been permanently knackered since having children!).

 

Thanks for any advice

Xx

 

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    Go to A&E then complain to the CCG about your GP.

    GPs have recently been told by the government to concentrate on rolling out booster vaccines above everything else, except urgent appointments which ironically you can't get until you've seen a GP. Under the current circumstances however people speak to receptionists, they are probably unable to help. This is one of the many reasons GPs are struggling to retain staff.

    Don't waste your money on private practice - you've already paid for NHS treatment - just take a book with you as the wait may be long.

     

    Good luck

    Dave

    www.gponline.com/.../1735636

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    Hi [@Jenijen81]‍ 

    I had similar problems except my GP is doing an online triage system and it's really hard to explain yourself and symptoms in the word box on the e-consult. I waited 3 days and got a telephone appointment with a nurse (which again for a lump is difficult). I was getting asked allsorts of questions that a face to face examination would have cleared up 

    I get private cover through work but there is a £150 excess.

    I ended up on a video consultation with a private GP (which is free) and he made a referral. I called and I'm booked into see a consultant urologist professor tomorrow. I know had I had to get an open referral but my private healthcare provider handled it all (not sure how other providers work) 

     

  • Thought i would pop by to say that you can have a private GP appointment through a number of sources. You have already been given some great suggestions such as Babylon but did you know that Boots now offer a private service for £19? There are also some walk in centres within larger Boots branches. There are more details here www.boots.com/.../online-gp

    The other link I'll give you is for Medicspot, as they have a list of private walk in centres which might be better for you

    Good luck and I hope you get a referral soon

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