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Dr referral??

  • 11-04-2009 8:57pm
    #1
    okgirl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 359 ✭✭


    Hi can anyone tell me if you still need a referral from a GP to see a condultant? Can you just ring a consultants office and make an appointment?


Comments

  • #2
    ScumLord
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    There's only one way to find out.


  • #3
    Saibh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,431 ✭✭✭✭Saibh


    You could try this forum for an answer


  • #4
    Terry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,061 ✭✭✭✭Terry


    Moved from AH for proper replies.
    The two above slipped in during the move.


  • #5
    dudara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Moved to Biology & Medicine.

    dudara


  • #6
    Dr Galen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,373 ✭✭✭Dr Galen


    you cannot self refer to a consultant in all but very very special circumstances. Your first port of call is your GP


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  • #7
    okgirl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 359 ✭✭okgirl


    Thanks to mods for steering me away from the twats, didn't think about this forum. When you get replies like that it make you wonder about boards.

    Was there not a change in the law last year regarding this? Maybe it was just talk of it. I really have issues with paying a GP €55 to write a letter when I should be able to make a phone call. I know the problem and the consultant so why should I have to line the pockets of his buddy?


  • #8
    sportswear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 394 ✭✭sportswear


    why don't you try ringing then and you'll get your answer. im not being smart but thats the only and easiest way of getting a defianate answer, especially if you've been with him before.


  • #9
    DrIndy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,461 ✭✭✭DrIndy


    If you have been to that consultant before, then calling the secretary could well be enough.

    The other real reason people should go to their GP is their GP can solve a lot on their own and then refer if and when needed. Going to your GP can save seeing a consultant.


  • #10
    kelle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭kelle


    okgirl wrote: »
    Thanks to mods for steering me away from the twats, didn't think about this forum. When you get replies like that it make you wonder about boards.
    But Saibh was trying to steer you in the right direction!
    okgirl wrote: »
    Was there not a change in the law last year regarding this? Maybe it was just talk of it. I really have issues with paying a GP €55 to write a letter when I should be able to make a phone call. I know the problem and the consultant so why should I have to line the pockets of his buddy?
    Unfortunately, that's the only way it can be done. I thought I might be able to cut out the middleman as I work in a hospital myself, but I still had to get a referral letter!


  • #11
    AmcD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 246 ✭✭AmcD


    okgirl wrote: »
    Was there not a change in the law last year regarding this? Maybe it was just talk of it. I really have issues with paying a GP €55 to write a letter when I should be able to make a phone call. I know the problem and the consultant so why should I have to line the pockets of his buddy?

    I don't want to go into the specifics of your complaint, but there are a couple of reasons why it is a good idea to get referred by a GP:
    1. Maybe the GP could sort the problem out, without the expense of a consultant (as another poster said).
    2. Perhaps the problem could be sorted out by a more relevant speciality, that you might not be aware of. There is quite a lot of crossover between specialities.
    3. GPs get sent the report from the consultant and can look after your followup care if necessary (again without expense of consultant) eg doing ongoing blood pressure checks, issuing repeat prescriptions or monitoring your blood tests.
    4. In the future you might want to get a PMA done when applying for life insurance or income protection insurance. If the GP has a record of your medical history and correspondence, the report can be done quite simply. Consultants don't do these, as far as I am aware.
    5. Also if you do actually have a GP, then it might be a good idea to get her/him involved to be aware of any problems you are having. Your medical history can then be updated, which may be relevant if you ever switch GPs in future.


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  • #12
    nesf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    okgirl wrote: »
    Was there not a change in the law last year regarding this? Maybe it was just talk of it. I really have issues with paying a GP €55 to write a letter when I should be able to make a phone call. I know the problem and the consultant so why should I have to line the pockets of his buddy?

    Simple really, we've a limited number of consultants and most of the time a person isn't in a good position to tell whether or not they actually need to see a consultant while a GP is when the person hasn't seen this consultant before. It's different if someone has seen the consultant before about the same problem in the past, but certainly for new problems it's best for people to see their GP.


  • #13
    Svalbard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 504 ✭✭✭Svalbard


    okgirl wrote: »
    Thanks to mods for steering me away from the twats, didn't think about this forum. When you get replies like that it make you wonder about boards.

    Was there not a change in the law last year regarding this? Maybe it was just talk of it. I really have issues with paying a GP €55 to write a letter when I should be able to make a phone call. I know the problem and the consultant so why should I have to line the pockets of his buddy?
    kelle wrote: »
    But Saibh was trying to steer you in the right direction!


    Unfortunately, that's the only way it can be done. I thought I might be able to cut out the middleman as I work in a hospital myself, but I still had to get a referral letter!

    Doubt the consultant would even know the GP in question, no incentive there to line his pockets.
    Sure if GPs are just an unnecessary obstacle then why aren't consultants crying out to have the referral system abolished? They'd make a mint seeing loads of patients directly.

    Maybe you could ask the consultant that when you see him/her. I could try and explain but I doubt you'd listen.


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