Hospital Waiting Options

LegacyUser

I have a really important ultrasound/xray and after being put on the waiting list I recieved a letter today that I will wait 6months to be called for it. Im in alot of pain all the time, the doctors put me on solphadine but that only masks the problem. Im really worried about what might be wrong and want to know my options. I am on the medical card. How much would this cost to go private? Though I cant really afford to go private anyways but I am so worried I would get a loan.

Kalimah

I thought I heard an ad for some place that does ultra sounds/MRIs for 200 euro for medical card patients. It might have been Euromedic? I can't quite remember. Actually here is a link i just found

www.euromedic.ie/

cute_cow

I have gone to the Charlemont Clinic in Dublin in the last year for 2 ultrasounds. I got an appointment the day after I called, no waiting time and it cost €150. The staff are lovely and have always been seen on time.

I know to some people €150 is not a lot, but if you can pay for it at all, I wouls recommend it, especially seeing as you are in so much pain.

Best of luck OP

skooterblue

Pain is the body way of telling you there is something wrong. If it were me I would find some way of paying for it. Another way is to have a chat with a TD about it. Solphedine is fine for short term pain relief. ?In the long term it will wreck your stomach and liver.

How the hell did the country get this way 15 years of prosperity and no national health Service for all?

ppink

If you are in a lot of pain go to A & E?

6 months is a crazy time to wait for an ultrasound.

Dublin25

Hi,
I know how you feel! Was given the same waiting time when i called.

I went to Euromedic (Dundrum), they do a discount for medical card holders and think i paid about 95e for an ultrasound. Well worth the money as i had the results back to my doctor that evening!

If you can afford the money go for it, as it's a weight off your mind.

LegacyUser

My GP reckons I have endometriosis.
I also need a laproscopy, I havent heard about when I will go for that yet at all.

So im kinda worried as I need a ultrasound/xray and a laparoscopy aswell as to see a specialist, so I dont just need an ultrasound.

I wonder how much it would all cost if I went private. I have a minimum wage job about 20 hours a week, theres about €20 left over every week but I might go to the bank and see about a loan to cover the medical expenses and pay it back at €20 a week or do the private clinic do a payment plan I wonder?

LegacyUser

The cost of the procedure in a Private hospital would cost a lot of money, a day ward admission is over €800 then you would have the consultants fees for the procedure and possibly follow ups before and after surgery.

Most private hospitals are looking for payment up front. If you can afford the ultrasound privately then you could be put on the list for the procedure faster. If you are on the list for over a certain lenght of time (can't remember of the top of my head how long though) then you can go to the National Treatment Purchase Fund which means treatment as a private patient (but without the same level of fees!)

Their website is www.ntpf.ie

Hope this helps.

ppink

is it possible for you to take a short notice appointment? if it is you could phone them and ask them if you could be put on cancellation list.

have you been referred to a gynae? I had a lap done and the gyne surgeon doing it would not do it without an appointment to see me first. He had to agreee the need for it. Call and ask you doc about this.

If you have been referred to a gynae do the same thing...phone and find out how long it will be and ask for a cancellation.

m'lady

I was in a similar situation, and waiting a long time for an untrasound, I went back to my GP telling him it was getting worse (which it was), and he contacted the hospital and put a bit of pressure on them to get me an appointment, it worked.

I agree with the poster who said if you are in such pain go into A&E, nobody should have to wait 6 months in pain.

January

My sister has just been through this process, her GP referred her to the Rotunda last year (think it was September '10) because she is in so much pain when she gets her period or when she has sex. She received an appointment for January and they just done blood tests, no xray/ultrasound. The blood tests came back inconclusive so she was booked in for laprascopy which was preformed on Monday just passed. She has another appointment in June to discuss the results of the laprascopy.

okiss

If you don't have medical insurance you can pay for a scan ultrasound ect.
You may be able to claim 20% of the cost back by filling out a med one form at the of the tax year.

redman85

There is also a place in Blackrock called Ultrasound Dimensions which has affordable scans. They are open evenings and weekends which was helpful for me. Their site is www.ultrasound.ie

Taltos

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Please take time now to read our charter before you post here again as PI/RI are strictly moderated we generally take action on all charter breaches.

Thanks
Taltos