scrubbedexpat094

The wife has been to see the GP this afternoon & has been given a referral letter to see a Specialist. She rings up said specialist & the receptionist tells her that his next appointment is 24th Nov She needs to see him more urgently than this (she is concerned it may be the BIG C, for reasons I don't want to go into). Any ideas how to get in sooner? We have health insurance, so that isn't a problem. Any help would be much appreciated.

SavBlancGal

Only thing I could advise is to ask to be listed for an earlier appointment (with the specialist) should a cancellation be made by someone else - your wife would need to be able to go within a days notice in that case.

You could also go back to the GP and ask if there is another specialist you could get referred to. If you live in a city (sorry, not sure where you are) there should be more than one specialist to pick from - in my experience GP's have their preferred people, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.

I do feel for your wife... I can appreciate that she'd want to be seen immediately; it is very stressful being told you need a higher level of care and then having to wait for it. I wish her well.

UKNZAUS

I'd go back to GP and say that they can only see your wife on 24th Nov and see what the GP says. He/she may get in touch with the specialist for you and explain it needs to be done asap! Failing that, ask for another specialist and try them for dates.

Good luck and hope it isn't the big C x

drrobert

This is exactly what health insurance is for, so use it! Check your cover with your health insurer, then go back to the GP and ask for an urgent private referral. You should be seen within a week or so.

luvwelly

Exactly I thought that was the whole point of private cover.
However it could be that there is a shortage of specialists in this particular specialism and those that are experienced in it, limit their private hours maybe (so for some things it may take longer than a week to be seen privately) but if you are willing to travel to other towns...I'm sure someone half decent would see you somewhere..it's your life at stake after all not theirs. Best of luck with everything.

SavBlancGal

It would be great if the waiting time was reduced to one week, but I've yet to ever get an appointment with a specialist in under four weeks even privately. It's only when you need surgery that the benefit of having health insurance kicks in with reduced waiting times, at least from my experiences.

Bellasmum

That's good advice. If the GP can't speed it up with that specialist ask to be referred to another one.

scrubbedexpat094

Many thanks for your advice. This is the first private appointment she can get!! There are other's in this speciality in the practice & the waiting times are just as long. It's a bit of a shock after the UK system, we were always seen within a week privately there. I think you may be right Luvwelly about the lack of specialists in this clinical area, rather than the location, we are in Akl region.
Wife has decided to see if manager at work can pull a few strings, afterall, country can't cope without another midwife in action.

We appreciate all your good wishes immensely, Cheers

Chief V

Batty

Oh best wishes for a speedy and good outcome.