Re: Know your rights within the NHS

[Guest guest]

You have a right to a second opinion and that can be with an endo and no reason why it can't be an endo of your choice. Whilst you may not have a specific right, if you made a complaint that the GP refused to send you to see and endo of your choice who specialises in your particularl condition then it would be seen as unreasonable. Remember the rules in the NHS are not speicifically the law of the land.

[Guest guest]

That is right, you have no rights to be referred, although I do believe you have a right to a second opinion.    The only thing is that if the doctor refuses to refer someone and that someone becomes ill because of his lack of knowledge, then he is responsible.    A lot of doctors who are not too sure of their diagnosis or knowledge of the subject prefer to refer to a consultant because it then absolves them of the responsibility.    That is why they prefer a consultant to tell them to prescribe something rather than do it on their own.

However, if they feel confident in their diagnosis and treatment (which they would if they were following the guidelines), they do not have to refer you.Second opinion is the way I would go if I was refused a referral.

LilianI have just been looking at the File " Know your rights within the NHS " and was surprised to see that it says " You have no right to see a consultant or a particular doctor though this can be requested. "

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/health/index/family_parent/health/nhs_patients_rights.htm#Seeingaconsultant

I was under the impression that we did have a right to see a consultant (endocrinologist) if we were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Is this incorrect?

[Guest guest]

When you book you book for the consultant's clinic not the particular

consultant. If you get there a bit earlier than your appointment and ask to see

the consultant the nurse will usually ask if its OK.

>

> I have just been looking at the File " Know your rights within the NHS " and was

surprised to see that it says " You have no right to see a consultant or a

particular doctor though this can be requested. "

[Guest guest]

Thanks, everyone. I'm afraid I am in the second situation. My GPs say it is

easy to treat hypothyroidism so people don't need a referral. However, they are

going by the computer: dosages according to TSH results, and no further

increases once my TSH goes below 10.

So is my best bet to say I want a second opinion about my treatment and aim to

get to see a consultant that way?

Miriam

> A lot of doctors who are not too sure of their diagnosis or knowledge of the

subject prefer to refer to a consultant because it then absolves them of the

responsibility.

> However, if they feel confident in their diagnosis and treatment (which they

would if they were following the guidelines), they do not have to refer you.

[Guest guest]

Dear Miriam,

The physicians are quite right in saying that the thyroid is easy to treat.

However, their problem is simple, they are dealing with about half of the

Greater Thyroid System. The other half is ignored and that dismissal is

threatened or actually enforced.

About 60 years ago, two papers were published on how T4-alone did not do the job

always. About 50 years ago papers were published on euthyroid (your thyroid is

OK) hypometabolism (but you are exhausted anyway). About 40 years ago the

physiology for the ignored half was discovered. Since then it has been studied

extensively.

The very popular TSH is four bodily functions away from the production of your

symptoms. fT4 is three functions away.

Some interesting blood tests are fT3 and rT3. They are two functions away. But

there are no tests for the reception of T3 by the cells and the tests for

cellular behavior are metabolic, for example oxygen usage and/or carbon dioxide

production.

And then there are a host of supporting chemicals and enzymes.

So simple? Only for about 80% of those who develop symptoms or if your doctor

keeps blinders on.

Have a great day,

My GPs say it is easy to treat hypothyroidism so people don't need a referral.

>

> Miriam

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