Discrimination - what can I do?

[titchy_lou]

I'm not sure if I've put this is the right thread...

Basically, my GP wants to refer me to a specialist regarding my IBS. For some reason or other, he referred me to a semi-private hospital, so that I could be seen quicker. I found out today that this hospital has rejected the application for my referral (for a problem that has nothing to do with my diabetes) because I have type 1 diabetes. As a result, I now have a "94 day" wait for an appointment.

This is incredibly unfair, in my eyes. For the past month, I've been in agony, I've been in a&e, and nothing is helping me to get better. I NEED to see someone.

I'm going to try to find out more information, regarding the rejection, but this doesn't sound right to me - especially as the problem I'm being reffered about, is irrelevant to my diabetes.

Is there anything I can do? Is it worth writing to the hospital?

 

[azure]

I've never heard of anything like that. It does sound unusual. Could you ask your GP for more details about the refusal, and ask if the hospital could reconsider?

 

[P1ckle]

Some hospitals refuse if they don't have the correct services, for example if your BMi is above 40 and they don't have an intensive care unit they cannot accept you. Maybe they are similar conditions for diabetes

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Some hospitals refuse if they don't have the correct services, for example if your BMi is above 40 and they don't have an intensive care unit they cannot accept you. Maybe they are similar conditions for diabetes

I was about to say exactly the same thing! X

 

[titchy_lou]

I've never heard of anything like that. It does sound unusual. Could you ask your GP for more details about the refusal, and ask if the hospital could reconsider?

I'm going to ask for more info from my GP tomorrow. It just doesn't seem fair that I'm missing out on this because I'm diabetic...and I now have to wait over 3 months for an appointment. The wait at this hospital is 'weeks'.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

In the meantime, is there anything we can help you with regarding the IBS? What is it you are looking for from the specialist?

 

[azure]

Yes, it does seem unfair. All I can think is that they're reluctant to take you on because they feel they don't have the expertise. That's only a guess though.

It may be your GP can reassure them if that's the case, or ask them again on your behalf maybe.

 

[Shar67]

I went to an NHS hospital for a celiac plexus block, done under conscious sedation as day patient, the day unit told me they wouldn't have had me in if they had know prior to that day that I was diabetic, so it isn't an unusual thing, I believe it is if anything goes wrong and you'r in a hospital you would expect them to be able to treat any diabetic problems that may occur but if they don't have trained staff then your in trouble and so would be the hospital, (NHS day unit would have had to get me up to 2nd floor for treatment)

 

[JTL]

A private hospital will specialize so therefore only have certain kinds of qualified staff.
If they thought they could make some money from an NHS referral believe me they would have.
They will have legitimate reasons and thinking it's discrimination is a little over the top me thinks.
Think yourself lucky your GP even considered you for such treatment.
t could be as simple as an insurance issue.
You can't seriously think they hate diabetics?

 

[tizzy]

Just a couple of things I always want to suggest after learning the hard way actually 4

Anaemia my ibs was sorted either through iron tablets or maybe coming of antidepressants
Coeliac somebody else found relief after years of ibs stopping wheat
Diverticulitis weeks of diareah eventually cured by a strong antibiotic no infection showed in the poo sample
There are many other things its just that after people suffering for so long and no medical help given I always feel I want to pass on these experiences I'm not medically trained just a sufferer along with others I know

 

[Shar67]

Just a couple of things I always want to suggest after learning the hard way actually 4

Anaemia my ibs was sorted either through iron tablets or maybe coming of antidepressants
Coeliac somebody else found relief after years of ibs stopping wheat
Diverticulitis weeks of diareah eventually cured by a strong antibiotic no infection showed in the poo sample
There are many other things its just that after people suffering for so long and no medical help given I always feel I want to pass on these experiences I'm not medically trained just a sufferer along with others I know

If your pancreas is not functioning properly you can get steatorrhea
Which is loose foul smelling fatty poop, a test of your poo will tell

 

[CarbsRok]

If it was a private firm they are there to make money so anything they consider will take longer to treat i.e. costing them money they will not take you on under the arrangement they have with the NHS,
The same thing happens down in Cornwall there's a firm that does private cataract ops for the NHS and they refuse to take on anyone with diabetes or any other eye condition just in case it takes up to much of their time. Time is money.

 

[Poppy62]

I can't advise about the hospital issue but my IBS improved dramatically when I went on a low FODMAPs diet. This is usually done with a referral to a dietician. It's quite a complicated diet but worth it - my attacks were very severe, I used to be doubled up with pain and had severe bloating. Attacks are now rare and involve only mild discomfort.

 

[JTL]

A spoonful of hard honey day works wonders for digestive problems but .... when I caught diabetes off a toilet seat in a run down petrol station I had to give it up.