Using a Private GP Service

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

My friend was declined a Blue Parking badge and it appears that it was due to a GP report understating their difficulties.

They have M.E. and due to the pain and fatigue experienced a Blue Badge would be beneficial.

She has now found a private GP practice and I went with her today. What a difference to the screaming kids, moaning old fogeys and old harridans on reception that are so prevalent in the NHS surgeries.

A cup of coffee and some biscuits was order of the day while we languished in a comfy sofa in air conditioned surroundings and watched the TV that was on the wall.

The receptionist was the opitomy of politeness and she had a choice of appointment times with short notice.

The GP was absolutely fantastic, had lots of knowledge of M.E. and fibromyalgia. The 30 minute appointment was unrushed.

The upshot is a positively produced medical report which truly reflects her difficulties.

We were both so impressed that we are thinking of dumping the waste of space NHS GP and using this private service more regularly.

FleurDuLys

Gosh, wouldn't that be really expensive to do regularly? Back when I was working I used to go to a private GP in the Medicentre in the City of London, for convenience because it could take up to two weeks to get an appointment at my NHS GP and the appointments were usually during the working day. It cost £50-60 for a private appointment and prescriptions were extra (and were charged at cost price, rather than a flat NHS charge). I guess it won't be expensive elsewhere in the country though?

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

It was £48.75. But at least she got a decent medical report for the BB application instead of some rushed opinion from her NHS GP. He even talked her into perhaps applying for DLA. So I guess a report for that will be well written. He was fully knowledgable of DLA too.

Every time I go to my NHS GP some old biddy dawdles down the corridor and is in there for 40 minutes before me making the doctor horridly late and then I get less than 10 minutes.

FleurDuLys

Well, if it's worth fifty quid to you to have the convenience, and you can afford it, then why not Do be careful if you need prescriptions though; some drugs are cheap, but the list price for one of my prescriptions is £80 for a month's supply, and another costs £250.

I know they're handy to see occasionally if you just need to see a GP as a one-off, but how does it work if you need continuity of care from the same GP? Can NHS consultants work with private GPs, would they send copies of letters to them and would the private GP hold your medical notes?

I would have assumed that for the purposes of DLA, ESA etc you'd need to have a GP who knew your medical history and had all your notes etc, rather than being someone you'd seen as a one-off - do you think this might be something that they would bring up when assessing your friend's BB application?

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

Not sure. But on the BB Application you put the GP details and she put this Private surgery so if they write they will write to them. He reckons that they may not even write with the report he has already done but if they do we will see! I guess it's the same for DLA. Not sure. Perhaps the time now with government cuts is to "go private" to get quality medical reports and the benefits you're entitled to.

GlasweJen

I'm sorry but I don't see how paying a doctor £50 to make up a report to get you the benefits you want is a good thing. Surely the NHS doctor who went to all the trouble to diagnose you, writes your prescription every month, treats your kids, possibly treated your parents etc knows your abilities a lot more than a doctor who sees you once for 30 minutes?

Empty_pockets

Don't know about that. I've been registered with the same NHS practice for 8 years and never seen the same doctor twice.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

GlasweJen wrote: »

I'm sorry but I don't see how paying a doctor £50 to make up a report to get you the benefits you want is a good thing. Surely the NHS doctor who went to all the trouble to diagnose you, writes your prescription every month, treats your kids, possibly treated your parents etc knows your abilities a lot more than a doctor who sees you once for 30 minutes?

Considering the number of complaints about DLA refusals on here caused by rubbish/inadequate GP reports then I think going private for a decent service is a pretty viable option. It isn't about making things up - it's about getting a report that reflect the difficulties you truthfully have. If this isn't available through the "free" NHS then the only other option is to pay up.

As the saying goes - you get what you pay for.

My friend saw a GP who was fully familiar with M.E. and Fibromyalgia at this private practice.

Her NHS GP gives the brush off in 10 minutes or less and wrote a report for a BB that no way reflected her difficulties or needs. Probably because they are pushed for time.

DWP use ATOS as a contractor for medical reports. Why don't they rely on NHS GP's?

Therefore my friend will "contract" a doctor for her report for DLA should she choose to claim it. She "contracted" a doctor for her BB application. I hope she gets it and can wave two fingers at the council and NHS doctor.

nogginthenog

If you get a written report from your own GP in many area's of the country the price is on a par with the private sector.

The pricing of letters and reports from my own NHS GP practice is very dear in my opinion and is on a par with London prices after checking on the internet.

£40-£60 FOR A 30-40 Minute Private consultation and a written report which is also sent to your own GP is well worth the money esp if you have complex medical issues.

In my nearest Private GP Service does a offer of £1200 for 12 appointments per year/ per family and free prescriptions.

If i could afford that i would jump at the chance.

tanith

I'm curious as to how a private GP can write a report when they don't have your medical history? One assumes they have to take your word for everything that ails/affects you.

Valley's_girl

tanith wrote: »

I'm curious as to how a private GP can write a report when they don't have your medical history? One assumes they have to take your word for everything that ails/affects you.

I totally agree.
ally x