GP failed to action promised referral

peterhjohnson

I have an ongoing health problem and my GP tried and failed to fix it. So they said they would refer me  to a hospital consultant. Two months later, I discovered that the GP hadn't actually made the referral!

I complained and mentioned that if they couldn't get me an appointment within 18 weeks of the original promise, I would pay for a private appointment and expect them to reimburse me.

They didn't acknowledge my complaint until I handed in a note to reception  pointing out the lack of acknowledgement. That was over two months ago and they haven't addressed my complaint or got me a hospital appointment.

When the 18 weeks was up, I sent them a further message pointing this out and giving them a week to respond and repeated my intention to go private and seek reimbursement.

Still no response so I'm going to be looking for a private consultant and seeking the fee from the GP.
I'm also going to change GP!

Comments? Thanks!

silvercar

I don’t see how you would claim the cost of a private consultation from an NHS GP.

A complaint to the practice manager would be the most appropriate action. Do you know if you have now been referred? That is the most important thing, unless you are intending to go private. All very well to have a private consultation, but what happens if the consultant needs costly tests or a procedure? Can you afford to pay for that, or would you need to move back to the NHS and how would you arrange it?

peterhjohnson

silvercar said:

I don’t see how you would claim the cost of a private consultation from an NHS GP.

A complaint to the practice manager would be the most appropriate action. Do you know if you have now been referred? That is the most important thing, unless you are intending to go private. All very well to have a private consultation, but what happens if the consultant needs costly tests or a procedure? Can you afford to pay for that, or would you need to move back to the NHS and how would you arrange it?

On the grounds that "losing" a referral for 2 months is negligence resulting in delayed treatment for me. I need a rapid (private) appointment to put me back in the position I would have been in but for the negligence.

I have already complained to the Practice Manager, sorry if that wasn't clear - but they've reluctantly acknowledged it and done nothing for 2 months. I know that I have been referred (late!) but I have no appointment. 

Yes, going private is a gamble but I am in pain.and the (rare) complications are fatal.

beckstar1975

You are assuming that you would have been seen in 18 weeks if the referral had been sent through. This hasn’t been the case for many specialities for years now which is why I suspect they’re not responding.

 You’re on a hiding to nothing 

DullGreyGuy

peterhjohnson said:

I have an ongoing health problem and my GP tried and failed to fix it. So they said they would refer me  to a hospital consultant. Two months later, I discovered that the GP hadn't actually made the referral!

I complained and mentioned that if they couldn't get me an appointment within 18 weeks of the original promise, I would pay for a private appointment and expect them to reimburse me.

They didn't acknowledge my complaint until I handed in a note to reception  pointing out the lack of acknowledgement. That was over two months ago and they haven't addressed my complaint or got me a hospital appointment.

When the 18 weeks was up, I sent them a further message pointing this out and giving them a week to respond and repeated my intention to go private and seek reimbursement.

Still no response so I'm going to be looking for a private consultant and seeking the fee from the GP.
I'm also going to change GP!

Comments? Thanks!

Took 2 years for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to get a response from our GP in relation to our complaint... they said they had never known anything like it. 

Snowballs chance in hell of getting them to pay for your private consultation so only pay for it if you are happy to be the one footing the bill. 

peterhjohnson

beckstar1975 said:

You are assuming that you would have been seen in 18 weeks if the referral had been sent through. This hasn’t been the case for many specialities for years now which is why I suspect they’re not responding.

 You’re on a hiding to nothing 

Their negligence has delayed my treatment for a painful and worrying condition by 8 weeks. When the PHSO investigates "delay" cases, they often award much more than the cost of a private appointment. Perhaps the GP would prefer that outcome :-:smile:

mjm3346

You can "claim" whatever you like but it's a claim that has no legal power.

EnPointe

peterhjohnson said:

I have an ongoing health problem and my GP tried and failed to fix it. So they said they would refer me  to a hospital consultant. Two months later, I discovered that the GP hadn't actually made the referral!

I complained and mentioned that if they couldn't get me an appointment within 18 weeks of the original promise, I would pay for a private appointment and expect them to reimburse me.

They didn't acknowledge my complaint until I handed in a note to reception  pointing out the lack of acknowledgement. That was over two months ago and they haven't addressed my complaint or got me a hospital appointment.

When the 18 weeks was up, I sent them a further message pointing this out and giving them a week to respond and repeated my intention to go private and seek reimbursement.

Still no response so I'm going to be looking for a private consultant and seeking the fee from the GP.
I'm also going to change GP!

Comments? Thanks!

that is not how it  works  in any way shape or form. 

 there is no obligation for the NHS to refund  any  private consultations 

 there have been numerous  court cases on this end, primarily in relation to Autism, ADHD  and Gender reassignment   and  there is no  established case law supporting  your  proposes  course of action 

EnPointe

beckstar1975 said:

You are assuming that you would have been seen in 18 weeks if the referral had been sent through. This hasn’t been the case for many specialities for years now which is why I suspect they’re not responding.

 You’re on a hiding to nothing 

exactly this 

silvercar

mjm3346 said:

You can "claim" whatever you like but it's a claim that has no legal power.

This.

Nowhere in your contract with the GP have they said they will fund for any delays caused by the NHS or by their practice.

Toothsmith

peterhjohnson said:

beckstar1975 said:

You are assuming that you would have been seen in 18 weeks if the referral had been sent through. This hasn’t been the case for many specialities for years now which is why I suspect they’re not responding.

 You’re on a hiding to nothing 

Their negligence has delayed my treatment for a painful and worrying condition by 8 weeks. When the PHSO investigates "delay" cases, they often award much more than the cost of a private appointment. Perhaps the GP would prefer that outcome :-:smile:

You would be way better off just asking them nicely if the referral could be sent in and then using the practice complaints system to register your displeasure.