Helen Butcher
09-08-2005, 00:42
Just a quick post reference my referral for investigation of a PFO after a cerebral bend last november. 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 a PFO 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! Apparently its quite effective...and i'm quite scary!
Fine for me - but not so great for all the other divers who could potentially have a PFO 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! Apparently its quite effective...and i'm quite scary!