Advice on obtaining a second opinion
in the UK
The process is as follows:
- Find the name of whom you would like to see. You can do this by asking your current medical team for a recommendation, or by using an internet support group such as our own Low-Grade Glioma Support Group to ask other patients and carers who they saw for their second opinions. Think about what speciality you are looking for; do you have an unusual tumour and are looking for somebody with experience of that tumour type, or is there an aspect of treatment you want to focus on? If you have been told that your tumour is inoperable, do you want a second opinion on that fact (so you are looking for a neurosurgeon) or do you now want to focus on radio/chemo options (in which case you need a neuro-oncologist). If seizures are your main problem at the moment you may need to see a neurologist who focuses more on anti-convulsant medication.
- Ask your GP for a referral; it is essential that you have a GP referral letter to get your free second opinion (in fact you can have more than one second opinion on the NHS). Once the new consultant has the GP referral letter you should then get confirmation from the new centre of your appointment time/date; although usually it is worth you phoning them directly a week after having seen your GP to ensure that the letter has been received and that you are in the system.
- GET YOUR SCANS ON DISC FROM YOUR CURRENT MEDICAL TEAM. This is crucial as the NHS will NOT transfer this information between treatment centres. You need to contact your current medical team and inform them that as this is such an important decision for you, you would like a second opinion; at this point you may like to ask them for their input regarding who they consider to be worth consulting. The scan discs should cost around £25 and it is helpful if you have the last two most recent scans if possible, in case the tumour has changed in that time. YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THESE SCANS IN YOUR HAND WITH YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT, don’t forget as whoever you see will be unable to comment if they can’t see what is happening. Your GP should have provided a brief outline of your case; and if your current consultant has been involved then he/she may also have supplied some information to whoever is giving your second opinion.
Re. your medical records, in the UK you have a legal right to access your notes and also have a written or taped record of your consultations (this was NICE guidance which went live in Dec 2008). Again ask your current medical team about this as the more information you can give at a second opinion consultation, the better.
Having your scans on disc also means that you can arrange to email them abroad if you would like to do so, although there will obviously be a charge for this kind of private telephone/email consultation.