[Help] MR scan following CT scan

[One Teddy Maybank]

Thanks, that as we thought, it really is effecting her current mental health, should she report this so it doesn't happen to anyone else, if so who too? And would any action actual happen?

Did you say it was private or NHS?
If NHS you could use the PALS service who would take it forward on your behalf (and they do).
Can’t comment on private but I’m sure they’d have a complaints process.

 

[AlbionBro]

Did you say it was private or NHS?
If NHS you could use the PALS service who would take it forward on your behalf (and they do).
Can’t comment on private but I’m sure they’d have a complaints process.

It was NHS, she was told PALS service was the NHS and wouldn't do much because of the connection. Is that true?

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

It was NHS, she was told PALS service was the NHS and wouldn't do much because of the connection. Is that true?

No.100% it isn’t.

I’ve recommended people who have commented to the contrary.
If your friend did complain, and didn’t receive any feedback, I would recommend following it up rather than leaving it, but it really shouldn’t be necessary.

I had an issue and they were great, and it got resolved.
I would also say though, that I directly spoke to the consultant concerned at the same time, as I wasn’t happy with the treatment.

When you make a complaint via PALS it does get discussed at the Clinical Governance committee, with actions and any learning fed into future processes.

Edit - I can see why people would think that though.

 

[AlbionBro]

No.100% it isn’t.

I’ve recommended people who have commented to the contrary.
If your friend did complain, and didn’t receive any feedback, I would recommend following it up rather than leaving it, but it really shouldn’t be necessary.

I had an issue and they were great, and it got resolved.
I would also say though, that I directly spoke to the consultant concerned at the same time, as I wasn’t happy with the treatment.

When you make a complaint via PALS it does get discussed at the Clinical Governance committee, with actions and any learning fed into future processes.

Edit - I can see why people would think that though.

Thanks for this I will encourage her to complain to PALS, hopefully they will learn by it and her diagnosis isn't as bad as she is thinking it is.

 

[pearl]

Depends on the report content.

If anything untoward the GP will refer it in accordingly, either as a routine or urgent referral, with the accompanying report.

The images will be transferable between private and NHS providers, so the specialist can review and arrange next steps.

The treatment plan is dependent on the nature of the issue, but next steps would be for the consultant (specialist) to see the patient, to gauge fitness and nature of presenting issue.

I have been told a doctor must refer a scan. So can an NHS GP do a referral for a private MRI? Do you know?

 

[Zeberdi]

I have been told a doctor must refer a scan. So can an NHS GP do a referral for a private MRI? Do you know?

You won’t need a referral for a private MRI you can refer yourself, just go online or phone a clinic and ask for the results to be sent to your GP - however, if you want to see a Consultant privately, the clinic will probably ask for a GP referral unless you have already had a recent private MRI at the same clinic.

I recently had an MRI on my neck on the NHS but then got a private second opinion from a private neurosurgeon - they asked for a GP referral.

My recent MRI on my knees was at a private clinic but paid for by NHS as it was a spillover clinic for NHS patients.
However, while I was there, I asked about getting another neck MRI privately and was told I could just book one myself (I think they quoted me around £250 and if I wanted a follow up with a neurologist to discuss results then it would be another £275 on top which I wouldn’t need a referral for.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I have been told a doctor must refer a scan. So can an NHS GP do a referral for a private MRI? Do you know?

You won’t need a referral for a private MRI you can refer yourself, just go online or phone a clinic and ask for the results to be sent to your GP - however, if you want to see a Consultant privately, the clinic will probably ask for a GP referral unless you have already had a recent private MRI at the same clinic.

I recently had an MRI on my neck on the NHS but then got a private second opinion from a private neurosurgeon - they asked for a GP referral.

My recent MRI on my knees was at a private clinic but paid for by NHS as it was a spillover clinic for NHS patients.
However, while I was there, I asked about getting another neck MRI privately and was told I could just book one myself (I think they quoted me around £250 and if I wanted a follow up with a neurologist to discuss results then it would be another £275 on top which I wouldn’t need a referral

That’s not quite correct because of IRMER regulations (though it doesn’t cover MR), there has to be rationale behind the requirement for a scan, otherwise you’d end up with lots of members of the public requesting scans that arent unnecessary.
There has to be a form of governance even in private practice otherwise medical-legally they’d be wide open to litigation, particularly in the event of something going wrong.

 

[Zeberdi]

That’s not quite correct because of IRMER regulations (though it doesn’t cover MR), there has to be rationale behind the requirement for a scan, otherwise you’d end up with lots of members of the public requesting scans that arent unnecessary.
There has to be a form of governance even in private practice otherwise medical-legally they’d be wide open to litigation, particularly in the event of something going wrong.

We’ll take it up with the clinics I was seen by who quoted me the price and accepted a direct referral.

You do NOT need a GP or Consultant to refer you.
.

Private MRI Scan & Medical Imaging Without Referral | Scan.com UK

Find private scanning centres near you, book online from £180 without referral, at the UK's largest private MRI, CT and Ultrasound scan provider. Was National MRI Scan.

uk.scan.com

When I was seen by a private neurosurgeon, it wasn’t a referral either, they just wanted a letter from Doctor to confirm/outline my symptoms but I referred myself.

I was seen by these people

Private Body Scans | Private Health Scans | Spire Healthcare

Scans and investigations - Our range of scans and investigations can shed light on your health. at Spire Healthcare

www.spirehealthcare.com

Private Consultants also largely have NHS clinics to so can access your medical records with your permission.

I have had two MRI scans in the past, both direct self-referrals.

Im not posting opinion but actual experience so it was correct for me!

You can also book a complete body MRI as a health check up.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

We’ll take it up with the clinics I was seen by who quoted me the price and accepted a direct referral.

You do NOT need a GP or Consultant to refer you.
.

Private MRI Scan & Medical Imaging Without Referral | Scan.com UK

Find private scanning centres near you, book online from £180 without referral, at the UK's largest private MRI, CT and Ultrasound scan provider. Was National MRI Scan.

uk.scan.com

When I was seen by a private neurosurgeon, it wasn’t a referral either, they just wanted a letter from Doctor to confirm/outline my symptoms but I referred myself.

I was seen by these people

Private Body Scans | Private Health Scans | Spire Healthcare

Scans and investigations - Our range of scans and investigations can shed light on your health. at Spire Healthcare

www.spirehealthcare.com

Private Consultants also largely have NHS clinics to so can access your medical records with your permission.

I have had two MRI scans in the past, both direct self-referrals.

Im not posting opinion but actual experience so it was correct for me!

You can also book a complete body MRI as a health check up.

So there was confirmation from a healthcare professional, which would effectively would cover them medico-legally.

Glad it worked for you though.

 

[Zeberdi]

So there was confirmation from a healthcare professional, which would effectively would cover them medico-legally.

Glad it worked for you though.

No, not for the scans, only for the self-referral to a private Consultant. Nothing to do with legal issues, but because they don’t want time wasters and hypochondriacs using up premium clinic time!

Private medical/healthcare clinics as I said are run by highly qualified practitioners with properly trained nurses and some of the best Consultants in their field and many if not most, run NHS clinics in hospitals too.

We aren’t talking about private back street cosmetic surgery clinics or alternative therapy.

 

[trueblue]

I’ve been referred by my GP to the Spinal Unit at RSCH (possble MRI)…80 week waiting list

Could a different Trust see you sooner? A few years back I was on a waiting list that was 6 months minimum in Brighton but a couple of weeks in Horsham (Sussex and Surrey Hospitals) and they gave me the choice. It's not ideal, obviously, with the travel and there are drawbacks with different areas not being too good at sharing information. However, since diagnosis, they've offered to switch me to RSCH a few times if I'd prefer.