looking for a gynecologist that accepts medical card

TessaJones

Hello,


I'm not actually sure if they take them or not but I got a medical card recently after losing my job and of course now that I'm broke, need to see a gyno. Does anyone know how to find one who accepts them (google isnt helping me).

I was talking to a chemist who said since the issue I have is not STI related, the free clinic at st. james won't be able to help me and I'd need to see a gyno. The well women's clinic costs just more than I can afford so here I am.

My GP is a 100 yr old who doesn't want to help with my womanly issues and told me to go talk to someone at the well women's clinic...knowing I have a medical card.

Freaking about over here about gyno AND breast issues so any help would be appreciated.

MrWalsh

Ask your GP for a public referral.

TessaJones

what will that do? will the gyno take my medical card since it's coming from him or...? sorry, I've only lived here a few years and it's very different to back home

Lau2976

TessaJones wrote: »

what will that do? will the gyno take my medical card since it's coming from him or...? sorry, I've only lived here a few years and it's very different to back home

AFAIK you will be referred to a gynocologist in a public hospital, such as St.Janes or Tallaght. I think rgere is a fairly long waiting list but it will be free

MrWalsh

TessaJones wrote: »

what will that do? will the gyno take my medical card since it's coming from him or...? sorry, I've only lived here a few years and it's very different to back home

It'll be free.

Consultants don't accept medical cards, there is the private system and the public system. The public system is free but plagued with long waiting lists.

A medical card is only useful for a GP and medicines I think (happy to be corrected on that).

TessaJones

ok thanx!

RacoonQueen

Tessa, you could change the GP for your medical card. Why did you choose the GP you have on your card? Not sure if you can change the GP so soon, perhaps contact the HSE and ask them about that and you can find a GP who specialises in womens health that would be able to help you.

Or if you can afford it, visit a GP who specialises in womens health and pay their basic fee? You could ring another practice with a GP that does womens health and talk to them about fees. Explain you need to see a gyn but you're not getting anywhere with the GP you have the med card for.

OP, depending on the seriousness of your condition, you may not have to wait too long. If it is an ongoing problem you might get seen earlier. Go to your GP for a referral and keep ringing to make sure you don't get leapfrogged too often!

TessaJones

RacoonQueen, I only chose this guy cos he's a few doors down from where I live and I have gone to see him for the last few years but havent had a woman specific issue before otherwise I wouldnt have chosen him. I was thinking to switch GPs as mentioned but that will take some time with the HSE so I will try to p ay the basic fee then switch as the dr I now want only takes patients already registered at her practice...so maybe i'll be eligible once I pay once

I also found a dr in D3 who takes the medical card and does gyno services but think they may be out of the radius allowed for where I live, as they ask on the form how may miles away your dr of choice is.

tradhead

If it's any help, the Well Woman centre in Coolock accepts medical cards, it's the only one of them that does. Their number is (01) 848 4511, they are fairly busy (I tried to get a last-minute appointment last week to no avail) but it would definitely be worth a shot! :-)

Pookla

OP, you're best bet is to go back to your GP and explain to them that you need a referral and that you can't attend the clinic he's suggesting.

May also be worth pointing out that he doesn't have to deal with any of this himself, just write the letter.

And then as RQ suggests, perhaps switch to a new one when you're able to.

Deleted User wrote: »

keep ringing to make sure you don't get leapfrogged too often!

Please don't do that though. Your case will be triaged by the gynae who gets the referral and then you'll be placed on the list. Phoning never changes the place on the list unless it's from the referrer to upgrade the urgency of the problem. All repeatedly phoning does is stress out the poor secretaries who, to be completely honest, have way too much to be dealing with in the first place.

P.S. If anyone tells you to go to A&E to get seen, don't do that either. All that does is mean that the junior doctor on call comes to see you, verifies that nothing is so serious that you absolutely shouldn't leave the building and then places you on the outpatient list, in the exact same spot that your GP letter would have got you. All you'll gain from that is a several hour long wait sadly.