Wanting 2nd opinion on a hospital scan

GDB2222

The least stressful way to get an answer is to get hold of the records, then hire a radiologist privately to look at them and advise you. 

Even then, it’s not clear whether that’s a fair test, as the new radiologist will know something serious is up, so he is in a different position to the original radiologist. 

74jax

I requested my dad's medical notes and got them from his doctor. They even ran through certain points I asked on the phone about cancer dates etc, very helpful and caring. 
I just had 1 in particular question to ask and I'm pleased I did. I understand you 'just wanting to know' and would say call, write or email, as it will bug you until you find the answer. 

tooldle

Were you with your Dad when he got his result? My dad died 3 months after his diagnosis. I had a long chat with the cancer nurse at the time who explained the wide range of patient responses to such a diagnosis. If you were with Dad great, but if not brace yourself in case of a personal decision not to process or share the diagnosis. Good luck.

BooJewels

tooldle said:

If you were with Dad great, but if not brace yourself in case of a personal decision not to process or share the diagnosis. Good luck.

I think this is what may have happened with my own father - I think they downplayed what they told him significantly, as he wasn't suitable for the extensive surgery, followed by chemo, that it would require for a decent prognosis, so they told him it was slow growing and they'd review periodically. 

He was already frail and whilst treatment may potentially/theoretically have given him a better outcome for that one thing alone - the cost to him of doing so, on balance, wouldn't have been worth it.  My sister and I have reflected on this periodically and are sure it was the right decision at the time - just let it run its course with him in relative peace about it.

My condolences to the OP for her loss.

sheramber

In my local hospital the  xray is looked at at the time by the doctor/registrar on duty.

However, later it is looked at by a consultant, who  is more experienced at reading xrays.   

Bit, the consultant was a locum  and may not be available until some time later. At which point he will have a large backlog of xrays to examine.

My GP was frustrated that a report on an urgent xray took one month.

oxfordgirl_2

elsien said:

GDB2222 said:

oxfordgirl_2 said:

400ixl said:

Start by speaking to his GP giving your concerns and see what they have to say. If you or they are not happy then they could request another referral to another specialist. If that wasn't available, you could ask for a private referral which would obviously be at your expense.

Hi thanks for your reply. To add more detail unfortunately my dad has passed away 😢 his recent scan about 4 weeks ago was not good news,  so I just have a feeling about the one in February which apparently was all clear . 

First of all, I am really sorry for your sudden loss.

If you just want an apology, assuming a mistake has happened, then probably PALS is the best route.

If you are thinking of suing the NHS, that's a well-worn path, and the obvious course is to see a solicitor. 

Having said that, there are a few things to consider.

The first one is whether it would have made much difference if a diagnosis had been made in February? Would the diagnosis, if made then, have led to treatment that significantly improved the quality or length of your father's life?  

The second is whether you would get much in the way of damages, and that depends on his earning power, etc., as well as the answer the question immediate above.

.

Sometimes people just want a second opinion/ explanations/occasionally an acknowledgment and an apology.  Not something the NHS is particularly good at so then they look at the legislative route because there’s no other option. Suing isn’t necessarily about the money, but about a means to an end.

OP, have your mum and son looked at the formal complaints route, if they want to flag up concerns? 

I appreciate that you want to check and why you want that, but don’t underestimate how stressful getting answers can be especially if you’re grieving. 

We lost my mum in February 🥲 it's been a year from hell so far and only half way through 

oxfordgirl_2

tooldle said:

Were you with your Dad when he got his result? My dad died 3 months after his diagnosis. I had a long chat with the cancer nurse at the time who explained the wide range of patient responses to such a diagnosis. If you were with Dad great, but if not brace yourself in case of a personal decision not to process or share the diagnosis. Good luck.

They rang my sister with the results we basically dealt with all his phone calls as he was quite deaf 

GDB2222

oxfordgirl_2 said:

elsien said:

GDB2222 said:

oxfordgirl_2 said:

400ixl said:

Start by speaking to his GP giving your concerns and see what they have to say. If you or they are not happy then they could request another referral to another specialist. If that wasn't available, you could ask for a private referral which would obviously be at your expense.

Hi thanks for your reply. To add more detail unfortunately my dad has passed away 😢 his recent scan about 4 weeks ago was not good news,  so I just have a feeling about the one in February which apparently was all clear . 

First of all, I am really sorry for your sudden loss.

If you just want an apology, assuming a mistake has happened, then probably PALS is the best route.

If you are thinking of suing the NHS, that's a well-worn path, and the obvious course is to see a solicitor. 

Having said that, there are a few things to consider.

The first one is whether it would have made much difference if a diagnosis had been made in February? Would the diagnosis, if made then, have led to treatment that significantly improved the quality or length of your father's life?  

The second is whether you would get much in the way of damages, and that depends on his earning power, etc., as well as the answer the question immediate above.

.

Sometimes people just want a second opinion/ explanations/occasionally an acknowledgment and an apology.  Not something the NHS is particularly good at so then they look at the legislative route because there’s no other option. Suing isn’t necessarily about the money, but about a means to an end.

OP, have your mum and son looked at the formal complaints route, if they want to flag up concerns? 

I appreciate that you want to check and why you want that, but don’t underestimate how stressful getting answers can be especially if you’re grieving. 

We lost my mum in February 🥲 it's been a year from hell so far and only half way through 

Quite a y6ear for you, and you have my sympathy.

oxfordgirl_2

Thankyou for all your replies. Someone from the hospital is ringing my sister  tomorrow/ Tuesday about the death certificate and what they are going to put on it and they've told my sister if she has any questions to ask them when they call, not sure if they mean the sort of question I have but my sisters going to ask and maybe they can point us in the right direction 

oxfordgirl_2

GDB2222 said:

The least stressful way to get an answer is to get hold of the records, then hire a radiologist privately to look at them and advise you. 

Even then, it’s not clear whether that’s a fair test, as the new radiologist will know something serious is up, so he is in a different position to the original radiologist. 

I think this is probably what we will do