NHS consultant

gregg1

knightstyle wrote: »

gregg1, I think you missed my point, why is he not on the lists and how do I find out about him as defined in the white paper? Plus I had an ultrasound between the Xray and MRI, is this normal?

I think maybe the MRI is the big one so perhaps he was trying to find the problem before he sent you for the MRI hence the ultrasound.

You could always speak to either his secretary or another member of admin at the hospital and perhaps they can help with the other issue.

Apollonia

knightstyle wrote: »

gregg1, I think you missed my point, why is he not on the lists and how do I find out about him as defined in the white paper? Plus I had an ultrasound between the Xray and MRI, is this normal?

From the General Medical Council website:

Because entry onto the Specialist Register is a requirement for appointment (rather than employment) as a consultant in the NHS, some established NHS consultants are not entered onto the Specialist Register - simply because they were appointed before 1 January 1997 when this requirement came into effect. Other doctors who are, or were, eligible to apply for entry onto the Specialist Register may have chosen not to apply for entry because they did not, or do not, intend to seek appointment as a consultant in the NHS.

http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/register/information_on_the_specialist_register.asp

My bold - this is the most likely reason he is not on the Specialist Register. He may have a poor 'bed-side manner' but that doesn't mean there is anything untoward going on.

knightstyle

Thanks, that may explain it.
So what about the bits in the white paper I quoted earlier?

"For the first time, people will be able to search online for information about consultants,
their approach to care and specialist areas of practice.
In addition, patients can now leave feedback and read other patients experience at a
departmental level"

This was meant to come in last year?

Apollonia

knightstyle wrote: »

... my main point is that we are meant to have an 'open' NHS and the information about consultants and their specialities should be available for patients to see. But my consultant is not listed. I found this on NHS choices website but what good is it?

Following commitments set out in the White Paper to enable patients “to have a choice
of named consultant-led team for elective care by April 2011” and from feedback from
NHS Choices’ users, new consultant profiles have been launched on www.nhs.uk.
These new profiles provide consultants with an opportunity to publish details about themselves and their areas of specialties.
For the first time, people will be able to search online for information about consultants...

I have underlined and highlighted the relevant information from your post. It is up to the individual consultant to decide whether or not they want to provide a profile, it is not a requirement.

To be fair, looking at some of the 'profiles' on the link you gave there isn't a lot of information on some entries. And information about a doctor like "webmaster for the Orthopaedic British foot and ankle society" does help me to pick a consultant.

In addition, if you are looking for reviews from former patients, remember that very few people bother to post good reviews online. Just check on MSE 'praise, vent and warnings' board. The topics for 'praise' are not only the minority but attract very few replies/comments. Vents and warnings are much more popular!

ETA: I just realised this IS the Praise, vent and warnings board! I thought it was in the Health section.

pmduk

knightstyle wrote: »

Thanks, that may explain it.
So what about the bits in the white paper I quoted earlier?

"For the first time, people will be able to search online for information about consultants,
their approach to care and specialist areas of practice.
In addition, patients can now leave feedback and read other patients experience at a
departmental level"

This was meant to come in last year?

It's Government IT, don't expect it to come in on time or within 200% of original budget.

knightstyle

Thanks pmduk that sums it up, just like doctors are meant to have stopped using premium rate numbers three years ago but ours still does!

knightstyle

Well I have at last today, 01/02/2013, seen the consultant to look at the November MRI scan results. He could not work the computer so we never got the scans on the screen and I had to ask him several times to explain what he was mumbling about!
Then he said I need to see a shoulder specialist as it was too long after the injury to operate! I thought he was the specialist!
So it has taken him since Sept 2012 to decide this!
I thought there is an 18 week referral to treatment rule?
I have done a summary to the health trust and wait their answer but all I want is for something to be done, the pain keeps me from doing much and keeps me awake at night, I am turning into Mr Grumpy!

Flugelhorn

am sure we all got put onto the specialist register in 1996 whether we were in a post at the time or not!

custardy

Think yourself lucky
I have been under treatment from an Ortho consultant for 14 months
I have yet to meet them!

knightstyle

Just been sent a reply, I sent my complaint to Complaints2@lincs-chs.nhs.uk and I should have sent it to Customercare@ulh.nhs.uk
So I have now sent it to them. It just goes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!