Kidney Stones, any suggestions?

[Cycleops]

You know I'm in the UK, yeah?

But you say you're in a private health care through work. They should be able to sort you out?

 

[Dec66]

But you say you're in a private health care through work. They should be able to sort you out?

But first you need a GP referral.

Getting a GP appointment now is like getting Wonka's golden f**king ticket.

 

[Slick]

But first you need a GP referral.

Getting a GP appointment now is like getting Wonka's golden f**king ticket.

That is true, but still worth persevering.

 

[Dec66]

That is true, but still worth persevering.

Which I will, but as Captain Oates said; "I may be some time".

I had it suggested I should go to A&E, the thought of being in that discomfort for hours and hours in the PRUH or Beckenham Beacon, shaking and vomiting as well, put me off.

 

[Espresso vecchio]

It is NOT true that you need a referral by the GP in order to access private care. Almost all specialists now accept direct referrals from the patient.

The possible exception is that some insurance companies will insist that the GP does the referral. In that case the patient should explain to the insurance company that there is not a cat in hell's chance of getting a GP appointment in under 2-3 weeks. They will understand that after the chaos of the last 3 years, especially for an acute problem.

Some patients go direct to A&E whilst actually getting the renal colic....sometimes, and increasingly, they get lucky and are referred upstairs on the spot.

Awful pain. Unlike childbirth it lasts much longer and recurs!

Good luck.

Stephen

(30 years as a GP..)

 

[Pat "5mph"]

@Dec66 you have my sympathy, it's almost impossible to see a GP here in Glasgow too.
You know that you can get a BUPA GP (for a fee, of course) to do a referral?
Link
A friend of mine got a referral for a dermatologist (in a private hospital) from a Boots the Chemist GP, on a Saturday. The fee for the GP referral was £50.
I don't know what her son googled to find this service, but there are private GPs that can do what your GP does for you.

 

[Kajjal]

If you have had kidney stones before and have the same symptoms currently the GP surgery should fast track you. I did this several months ago and was quickly referred to private health care. As above most private health care has on line GP’s who will also do this for you. Thankfully it was not kidney stones.

 

[Dec66]

If you have had kidney stones before and have the same symptoms currently the GP surgery should fast track you. I did this several months ago and was quickly referred to private health care. As above most private health care has on line GP’s who will also do this for you. Thankfully it was not kidney stones.

First time I've ever felt anything like this... That's why it was so scary, I had nothing to compare it to.

 

[Bazzer]

If the pain returns, I'd go straight to A&E. The last time one of mine went walkabout, I left work immediately and just about managed to get home. Previous experience told me that unless there was a remarkable turn of events, I needed more help than was in the medicine cabinet, so I called an ambulance. A&E was awful, but I got admitted and treated.

 

[vickster]

@Dec66 you have my sympathy, it's almost impossible to see a GP here in Glasgow too.
You know that you can get a BUPA GP (for a fee, of course) to do a referral?
Link
A friend of mine got a referral for a dermatologist (in a private hospital) from a Boots the Chemist GP, on a Saturday. The fee for the GP referral was £50.
I don't know what her son googled to find this service, but there are private GPs that can do what your GP does for you.

My Bupa membership includes free Babylon, virtual GP service. They can do the referral if you have similar (other private HC includes so check your policy or ask HR, my company provides this service to all whether enrolled in private HC scheme or not)

 

[Dec66]

My Bupa membership includes free Babylon, virtual GP service. They can do the referral if you have similar (other private HC includes so check your policy or ask HR, my company provides this service to all whether enrolled in private HC scheme or not)

We have something similar, and I tried to register yesterday, but they want payment up front and I couldn't work out how to link it to the company's scheme.

As it happens I just rang my GP surgery and they've told me how to go about getting bloods and urine samples done without having to see a GP beforehand, so that's helpful.

 

[vickster]

We have something similar, and I tried to register yesterday, but they want payment up front and I couldn't work out how to link it to the company's scheme.

As it happens I just rang my GP surgery and they've told me how to go about getting bloods and urine samples done without having to see a GP beforehand, so that's helpful.

The schemes are probably different, but for Babylon, get an employer code from HR, pop in the registration box to get into the app, easy. Book an appt online as applicable with GP, Nurse Practitioner, physio. No charge to self

 

[Dec66]

The schemes are probably different, but for Babylon, get an employer code from HR, pop in the registration box to get into the app, easy. Book an appt online as applicable with GP, Nurse Practitioner, physio. No charge to self

Yes, I thought there'd be something like that, but the company Intranet page is most unhelpful. I need to chat to someone who's actually done it.

 

[vickster]

Yes, I thought there'd be something like that, but the company Intranet page is most unhelpful. I need to chat to someone who's actually done it.

Don't you have an HR / benefits person to message?

 

[Dec66]

Don't you have an HR / benefits person to message?

Probably, but as we're bit big it might take a while.

Not that it matters now cos my GP just rang me with a cancellation. Urine sample done (negative). Blood and stool samples to do.

Oh, and "go to A&E" if it kicks off again.