Private doc fee - dis-satisfied

punjabi

Hi all,


I rang a private hospital last week and spoke to a secretary and explained that I have condition X and would like to see a specialist. She mentioned Dr Y and booked me an appointment the very next day and a fee of £175 for a 30 minute
consultation.

I did a 140 mile round trip journey for this app and spend the best part of a day - but within minutes of me walking into the doctors office, he told me that he did not actually specialise in this condition, but he has a college who does, and he would refer me to his college. Within 10 mins I was out of the door.

I checked on the online profile for this doctor, and he does indeed mention condition X as one of the things he sees patients for.
Now, prior to the appointment, the secretary had taken an imprint of a credit card from me, but said that no charge would be made to it. When I walked out of the doctors room, I asked if I can pay, and was told that I would get a letter in the post as no payments were actually taken at the hospital.

After a few days I received an invoice for the £175. While I was naive enough to want to pay at the time, I now think that I have every right to contest this invoice, on the following grounds :

1) The doctor did not actually provide me any service, other than to write down my situation and then refer me to someone else. (It's a bit like me taking my car to a mechanic who then says "Sorry guvnor, I can't fix this, but i know a man who can, and that'll be £175 pls")

2)The secretary recommended Dr Y, rather than me choosing him, and as mentioned previously, the web-site says he deals with condition X.

The invoice says "For Professional Services" - I feel I received none.
This is from a private hospital which has numerous branches throughout the UK.

What is the best way for me to contest this? Do nothing, and hope they forget about it? Write them a letter explaining my grievances?

All advice welcome.

arcon5

Write to them and tell them no consultation took place, merely the doctor referred the case to a specialist.

State you initially requested a consultation with somebody with specific knowledge and they failed to do so.

Explain you do not feel they fulfilled the service and reject the invoice

Sicard

The secretary, Ms W, said there would be no charge but you wanted to pay? Why?

BTW if you'd asked for Dr Z maybe you wouldn't have this problem.

hollydays

You say " within minutes of you walking through the door", did he not examine you at all?

SuperHan

Laurie_Sicard-Askey wrote: »

The secretary, Ms W, said there would be no charge but you wanted to pay? Why?

BTW if you'd asked for Dr Z maybe you wouldn't have this problem.

Why would the OP have asked for Dr Z?


The spoke to the receptionist/secretary who said Dr Y was the person to speak to given the OP's condition. It's not for the OP to know the names and specialties of every doctor at any given hospital.


Given the misinformation from the receptionist, I'd expect that the appointment with Dr Z would be given at no additional charge, as the consultation fee is already paid.


OP - try proposing that to the hospital, and see what they say?

punjabi

As per SuperHan's response, I rang the hospital, explaining what my condition was, and let them choose the most appropriate doctor for me.

hollydays - no I was not examined at all. The problem is not something which is visible on the body, and hence a physical examination would not have been appropriate.

"I'd expect that the appointment with Dr Z would be given at no additional charge, as the consultation fee is already paid.
OP - try proposing that to the hospital, and see what they say?"
Excellent point - I will try this option.

Many thanks all.

susancs

I would email the hospital for a quick response and also put a letter in the post. I would probably put it back in their court by stating something along the lines of the fact that you rang on x date, asking for an appointment with a Dr who specialised in x condition and were given an appointment with Dr by the member of staff you spoke to. This Doctor upon seeing you quickly realised the hospital staff had made a mistake in offering you an appointment with him, as he did not specialise in x condition and he stated that would kindly arrange an alternative appointment with the correct Dr. You are surprised to receive an invoice for an an appointment that wasted your time and the Dr and was entirely due to misinformation given by the hospital staff. You can only assume it is an error on the invoicing system. You would be grateful if they would confirm that this is the case by return email and you hope to receive an appointment with the specialist doctor in the near future and will of course pay that invoice.

Manxman_in_exile

I apologise if this isn't relevant but why ring up a private hospital 70 miles away when you don't appear to know who practises there or what their specialties are? I'd only be travelling that far to a private hospital (1) to see an acknowledged expert in the field and (2) if my local NHS hospital was even more distant


Would it not have made more sense to get your GP to make a private referral to a local NHS specialist? The advantage here is that your GP will know the local specialist's reputation and it's easier for you to attend. In my experience many if not most NHS consultants still have private a list.


And I certainly don't think you should be paying anything for your so far non-existent private "consultation". Get a private referral from your GP.


Apologies if your condition is so rare that finding a local NHS specialist is not possible or practical.

[Deleted User]

I'd imagine the OP has his own reasons for not using the NHS.

arcon5

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I apologise if this isn't relevant but why ring up a private hospital 70 miles away when you don't appear to know who practises there or what their specialties are? I'd only be travelling that far to a private hospital (1) to see an acknowledged expert in the field and (2) if my local NHS hospital was even more distant


Would it not have made more sense to get your GP to make a private referral to a local NHS specialist? The advantage here is that your GP will know the local specialist's reputation and it's easier for you to attend. In my experience many if not most NHS consultants still have private a list.


And I certainly don't think you should be paying anything for your so far non-existent private "consultation". Get a private referral from your GP.


Apologies if your condition is so rare that finding a local NHS specialist is not possible or practical.

Your right, it is irrelevant.

Dizzy_Ditzy

The credit card swipe would have been for hospital fees, which are not related to the consultant fee. if you didn't use any hospital facilities there will be no charge to your card.

The invoice you received is the one you need to ring and query. The secretary's number and email should be on the invoice. You need to email or call and explain the situation.

You should mention that you chose Dr Y based on his online profile saying that he treated your specific condition and as he told you that he didn't, you don't feel as though you should pay.

Don't "do nothing". You'll only get reminders sent to you periodically.

I wish you luck. Dont be ranty on the phone or email, just stick to the facts and ask them to refer back to the consultant in question.