PFO's and PCT's

[Hellvet]

Just a quick post to say that my primary care trust refused to refer me to Dr Wilmshurst, as he couldn't offer me any more than my local cardiologist - luckily i had private BUPA cover so told them to stick that in their pipe and smoke it, and send me to him privately anyway!

Fine for me - but not so great for all the other divers who could potentially have one and get the best answers from Wilmshurst. I wasn't too worried to be honest until my buddy from the club had a massive spinal bend and was told he almost definitely has a PFO - and he doesn't have private cover...

So - i wrote a letter of complaint. Luckily i'm kinda uniquely qualified to do this cos i'm a vet and i speak their language, well kinda! My letter was 3 pages long and supported by several peer reviewed journal articles - and i think it rattled a few cages. I even got a letter back from my MP on house of commons notepaper!

The primary care trust has acknowledged that they haven't given enough thought to this problem, and that Dr Wilmshurst is the main UK cardiology expert in providing advice about pfo's to divers. They've accepted that it is better to pay for expert cardiology intervention as this is cheaper and a better clinical process than paying for successive treatment episodes at DDRC.
They are in the process of clarifying what support the local hospitals can and can't offer to divers post DCI, and making a decision about whether to support regular referral to shrewsbury.
They've also decided to reverse the decision in respect of my buddy who got the spinal bend and are referring him to wilmshurst!

If anyone is struggling with their primary care trust give me a shout and you can have a copy of the letter!

[ChrisP]

This is excellent news. Well done.
For some time it has been a struggle trying to get divers seen on the NHS by a diving cardiologist because of PCTs.
Having seen your letter, it is excellent and I am sure that suitably adapted to an individuals situation most PCTs will find it hard to refuse.
I am not sure how long PWs NHS waiting list is but it would usually be quicker privately.
I expect a lot of people will benefit from your intervention.

[Janos]

Well done H!

And thanks for posting. Fortunately it doesn't apply to me (touch wood) but I'm sure there are several people who will benefit.

Well done again.

Janos

[JonDive]

I just love it when people won't just take crap laying down, good on you!!

[Hellvet]

quick update - have heard from the lady where we keep our club RIB (who happens to work for the primary care trust) that when my letter arrived the S**t hit the fan as there is no record/paper trail of why my referral to wilmshurst was refused, and they are apparently cr*ping themselves that i will push this further and demand to see the records.

undecided as to whether i will take it any further at the mo, as this isn't the reason i really wrote the letter, but i just wanted to say to anyone struggling with their referral follow it up and ask questions and ask to see the paper trail...

Helen

[recurve]

Do it!!! DO IT!!!!