GP refused referral to specialist

kerstinms93

Hi there, I need some help.

Does anyone know what could be done if the GP refuses to send you to a specialist, even though the symptoms are still there after weeks, none of the suggested treatments has helped effecticely, and no diagnosis was made?

I find this quite unprofessional and really worrying.

Anyone else had experiences like this?

Thanks!

amcalester

If there’s no diagnosis how can you be referred to a specialist?

Gregor Samsa

amcalester wrote: »

If there’s no diagnosis how can you be referred to a specialist?

Well, just as an example, if you had a skin rash, you might be sent to a dermatologist for diagnosis, even though your GP hasn't diagnosed the condition causing the rash themselves. Anyway, that's not what the OP is asking about.

OP, if you're not happy with the level of care provided by your GP, then go to another GP.

Teyla Emmagan

Go to another doctor. GPs can at times be really reluctant to write a referral letter because it may reflect on their ability i.e. that they couldn't solve the problem. Even though they couldn't solve the problem. Just find someone else.

wiggle16

It's not unprofessional. A GP will only refer you to someone if they feel it's warranted. Obviously your GP did not feel that way. It's their professional opinion. A GP can be wrong about something without being unprofessional.

What did your GP actually tell you to do? Your GP must have suggested some other course of action, to continue with current treatments or try another. Declining to refer you further is not unprofessional. It would be unprofessional for a GP to refer someone to a specialist or consultant simply because they demanded it, when they didn't think it was warranted.

Either way, you cannot force a GP to refer you to anyone. Go see another doctor and see what they say.

kerstinms93

wiggle16 wrote: »

It's not unprofessional. A GP will only refer you to someone if they feel it's warranted. Obviously your GP did not feel that way. It's their professional opinion. A GP can be wrong about something without being unprofessional.

What did your GP actually tell you to do? Your GP must have suggested some other course of action, to continue with current treatments or try another. Declining to refer you further is not unprofessional. It would be unprofessional for a GP to refer someone to a specialist or consultant simply because they demanded it, when they didn't think it was warranted.

Either way, you cannot force a GP to refer you to anyone. Go see another doctor and see what they say.

Situation is as follows: I had been having problems with bad acid reflux for a while, which I got partially under control with change of diet and antacids.

However for the last 3 months I have been having pretty bad abdomunal pain, on and off i the upper stomach region, some acid reflyx still there. Being a nurse myself I know that there is a lot of reasons why that could be and I simply wanted to have it checked out before it may possibly get worse. Especially since it affects me at work, and at night too.

The first thing he said to me is "to keep taking painkillers", which are fantastic for the stomach of course, when I got back to him a few weeks after I had first asked to be referred he then told me I would have to wait 13 months to see a gastroenteroligist. When I said to him thats fine, seeing as this was probably my only option, he said to me "then the pain can't be that bad" and let me go.

I mean, how much more do I have to be in pain before I can actually get help?

Ursus Horribilis

Can you not go to another GP? They don't always get things right.

fits

He’s not taking you seriously. Can you move GP?

kerstinms93

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

Can you not go to another GP? They don't always get things right.

Thats what I'm trying to do now to get a second opinion. A lot of them seem to not take any new patients at this time of the year, Caredoc I guess if nothing else helps.

kerstinms93

fits wrote: »

He’s not taking you seriously. Can you move GP?

Trying to find one now that takes new patients.

wiggle16

I suffered for years, since my teens, with acid reflux which was put down to diet, drink, etc but eventually got my GP to send me for a scope last year. It turned out I have a hiatal hernia which causes the reflux (which I suspected because two of my aunts have the same thing) and a thing called Barrett's esophagus, caused by not having it treated for so long.

Not saying this is your situation or speculating on what you have. I say it because my GP didn't see a need for a scope because he thought I was too young to have anything a scope would spot (such as Barrett's). He was wrong, but he's a good doctor and I wouldn't go to anyone else - he just got it wrong.

Keep calling GPs in your area and get an appointment. A breath test and endoscopy would be routine before there was any talk of being referred to see a gastroenterologist, if you have not had either of these perhaps that is why your GP was reluctant to refer you to one.

Good luck.

ILikeBoats

Like wiggle16, I had severe reflux. Eventually went to a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with Barrett's and a hiatal hernia, have to take pantoprazole forever - which is great, my quality of life has improved a lot.

I was advised to return for a scope every second year to keep an eye on the cells around the hernia. For this - I just ring the specialist directly and organise with his administrator. I don't get any referral? Maybe it's because I'm on his books already? But could you ring some in a private hospital and check if they'll see you?

Mrcaramelchoc

Go to another gp and tell him you want to be checked out.my brother in law had similar symtoms 6 years ago and it turns out he had an aneurysm in his aorta.open heart surgery.a few weeks later.
It is always better to have it checked out properly as you probably know anyway.

kerstinms93

wiggle16 wrote: »

I suffered for years, since my teens, with acid reflux which was put down to diet, drink, etc but eventually got my GP to send me for a scope last year. It turned out I have a hiatal hernia which causes the reflux (which I suspected because two of my aunts have the same thing) and a thing called Barrett's esophagus, caused by not having it treated for so long.

Not saying this is your situation or speculating on what you have. I say it because my GP didn't see a need for a scope because he thought I was too young to have anything a scope would spot (such as Barrett's). He was wrong, but he's a good doctor and I wouldn't go to anyone else - he just got it wrong.

Keep calling GPs in your area and get an appointment. A breath test and endoscopy would be routine before there was any talk of being referred to see a gastroenterologist, if you have not had either of these perhaps that is why your GP was reluctant to refer you to one.

Good luck.

Ah I always thought I would have to see a gastroenterologist in order to get the endoscopy done. I will ask my gp about both tests, and if he is still reluctant will try to see another gp. Thank you!

wiggle16

kerstinms93 wrote: »

Ah I always thought I would have to see a gastroenterologist in order to get the endoscopy done. I will ask my gp about both tests, and if he is still reluctant will try to see another gp. Thank you!

A GP can refer you for these tests and can give you the results themselves. I've had both done, never had to see an gastroenterologist at all. Good luck

Dalomanakora

You can 100% have scopes done without GI referral. I had one done a few weeks back after being referred by a general surgeon - still haven't been referred to a gastro specialist but that's on the cards too, to figure out what's wrong with me :pac: Depending on where you're referred, waiting lists can be long. The list for Dublin was over a year, so I was offered one several counties over within 2 weeks!


As for wanting a new GP, I don't know where you're based, but Limitless Pharmacy in Northern Cross (Clare hall) have a new GP surgery and are very happily taking on new patients, including medical card patients.

Calypso Realm

Actually given your history OP and the worsening symptoms, I'm surprised your GP hasn't referred you for any imagining eg a CT scan/ultrasound which would assist in providing a clear diagnosis. How can you possibly treat a condition, if you don't know what it is? I, for one, don't agree with the ongoing use of painkillers, which are essentially treating the symptoms, not the cause.

Definitely see another GP!

Actually, since you're a nurse and still working, can you not get this done through work, but I guess it depends on where and if you're still working!

wiggle16

Mod note:

OP, as I believe your issue is resolved, I am going to close this thread. I think this is a good place to leave it.

Thanks & grma everyone who posted.

Good luck and feel better soon OP

Thread locked.