Does the GP have the right to refuse a CT scan?

1jim

the NHS has to balance costs v benefit.....you have to remember that most tests such as scans either ct or mri can wait 2 or 3 weeks to be carried out....obviously this may or may not be the case with you H10 and I dont wish to offend. The NHS could outsource a lot of work to the private providers but it would cost more.....yes the waiting times would be reduced by 2weeks for a scan but the hospital/nhs would have to weigh up the cost of this, the areas they would have to reduce spending on because of the increased cost and work out if there is a significantly increased clinical benefit/outcome for the majority of patients having scans 2-3weeks earlier than now.
Unfortunatly this is how healthcare has to work when there is no bottomless pot and I suspect that this will become more and more obvious as the [STRIKE]cuts[/STRIKE] efficiency savings take place

C_Mababejive

Strange..i have a relative who lives in Spain and in the Spanish health service, such things as MRI and CT scanning are seen as common as X rays. There is no big waiting or hoo haa about it as if you are waiting to enter a time capsule or something and it is common practice for the patient to be given copies of their scans with explanatory notes for their own records and to show to other practitioners should they be required in future..i.e they are not just binned.

soolin

C_Mababejive wrote: »

CT & MRI scans are not allowed under the NHS as they are too expensive.

Bit early for an April Fool isn't it?

I'm quite happy that both my son and I have had CT and MRI scans when deemed necessary.

soolin

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Strange..i have a relative who lives in Spain and in the Spanish health service, such things as MRI and CT scanning are seen as common as X rays. There is no big waiting or hoo haa about it as if you are waiting to enter a time capsule or something and it is common practice for the patient to be given copies of their scans with explanatory notes for their own records and to show to other practitioners should they be required in future..i.e they are not just binned.

As there are small risks associated with all these procedures we are not quite so cavalier in our attitude towards having them for everything.

I am happy that the NHS decides that a diagnosis tool is medically necessary before subjecting people to radiation or other risks. In Spain you can get anti biotics over the counter for a cold and I would certainly now want to follow that sort of example thank you very much!

Oliver14

chokolat2 wrote: »

I am a NHS patient. I have problems with my spine. One and a half years ago I had a CT scan, but since then I can feel that my illness has got worse. I have asked my GP to have another CT scan, but the GP refused. Does the GP have the right to refuse another CT scan?

You can't demand the tests you want. The GP will assess what is needed not what you want just to reassure yourself. That's why they spent all that time at medical school. Even the GP can be refused a scan (in some areas they can't even request them it has to be a Hospital consultant). if they request a spurious scan it can and they frequently are refused by the Radiology Consultant. There are risks involved in a CT scan from adverse reactions to contrast (a dye) and radiation (A spiral Chest CT is the equivalent of 100 chest xrays). Any radiation will increase chances of cancer so it needs to be assessed if that risk is acceptable compared to the diagnostic information it will give. I'm afraid as a lay person you do not have the information to make tha decision.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

chokolat2 wrote: »

I am a NHS patient. I have problems with my spine. One and a half years ago I had a CT scan, but since then I can feel that my illness has got worse. I have asked my GP to have another CT scan, but the GP refused. Does the GP have the right to refuse another CT scan?

Are you not under a specialist at your hospital as from experience I thought it was hospitals that usually order CT scans/MRI's not gp's.

Your gp might be able to refer you to see a specialist if they think you need further investigation.

easy

nashly wrote: »

I thought scans just used magnets ?

bertiebat wrote: »

You are thinking of MRI scans. These don't involve radiation and are sometimes an even better alternative to a CT scan for back problems (but then again they are even more expensive).

Well, MRI scans subject your body to a very strong magnetic field. Whilst general contact with 'household' magnets does us no harm at all, some scientists believe that exposure to a very high magnetic field can have harmsul effects.

Remember this technology is fairly new, we have no idea yet how it might affect an individual 25 or 30 years down the line, especially if they had repeated scans


I have had an MRI scan - and LOTS of x-rays throughout my life (most as a child in the 1960's when x-ray doses were higher than they are now), but I wouldn't chose to have any scans (MRI or CT) nor any more x-rays without a compelling reason.

wild666

chokolat2 wrote: »

I am a NHS patient. I have problems with my spine. One and a half years ago I had a CT scan, but since then I can feel that my illness has got worse. I have asked my GP to have another CT scan, but the GP refused. Does the GP have the right to refuse another CT scan?

Does your GP moonlight for ATOS by any chance? New evidence of a worsening condition can only help you and hinder the DWP & ATOS in their attempts to kick you on to JSA if you are not working and claiming ESA now.

KxMx

Your best bet would be to get a referral to a Consultant as others have said. They can help you better that a GP and have more power in ordering a CT scan if they feel it neccessary.

bertiebat

C_Mababejive wrote: »

CT & MRI scans are not allowed under the NHS as they are too expensive.

Well to date; I've had 3 CT scans (knee,brain, chest/abdomen), 4 MRI scans (knee, back/hips), 5 radioisotope bone scans, 2 lueko scans, 4 dexa scans, V Q and then CTPA scans, Nuclear Stress Test, numerous ultrasounds and LOTS of X-rays!

ALL ON THE NHS!

They were good clinical reasons for every single one of them and were ordered by various consultants for multiple reasons, but I do really worry that I will end up glowing in the dark soon!