How to pick a hospital consultant

CPTM

Hi, if you have a GP referral to see a Dermatologist (unspecified), how would you go about choosing someone?

The Beacon or Blackrock clinic seem to be my closest options, but there seems to be different phone numbers for each consultant in each hospital, as opposed to just a dermatology department phone number. Do you just pick a random one, or phone each of them to discuss the issue to see who'd be best placed, or phone them to check availability is it? I would normally rely on reviews, but they seem to be listed at a departmental level.

MrMusician18

You can look for recommendations but any consultants we've needed to see in our family basically come down to who has availability to see you within a reasonable timeframe.

byhookorbycrook

Your GP would be best placed to advise you. Consultants won't discuss your issue over the phone, you will have to get the referral and then go for an appointment.

Strumms

https://www.bonsecours.ie/dublin/find-a-consultant/staff/fiona--keane-

ive had two family members both successfully treated for skin cancers by Dr Fiona Keane…

one being my mother who remains Cancer free over a decade later so that’s my recommendation through her.

https://www.materprivate.ie/our-consultants/info/dr.-fiona-keane

CPTM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119109280#Comment_119109280

Thanks, I have a GP referral. She said first step is phone insurance company to see where I'm covered and then after that I can make a booking directly with that clinic using the referral letter. I'm covered everywhere so I'm just wondering how to choose which one. Seems like 6 months is standard waiting time.

byhookorbycrook

I can't help with your choices, but I will say is that as soon as you choose someone, ring and tell the secretary that you will take any last minute cancellations. I've managed to get in very quickly, by being able to accept an appointment with less than 48 hours notice.