Ban on GP access to hospital tests hampering early diagnosis, GPs warn

[Northerner]

The lack of GP direct access to hospital-based diagnostic tests is blocking early detection of diseases, causing frustration among GPs and anxiety in patients, GPs have warned.

GPs should be trusted to investigate symptoms using a range of specialist investigations currently reserved only for consultant access, according to LMCs.

Representatives attending the annual LMC conference in York last week voted in favour of a motion that said the lack of GP open access to certain hospital-based investigations was 'hampering identification of serious illness in patients at an early stage'.

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[AlisonM]

Hmm, my GP has access to all the test results I have, it's mostly accessible by computer and both he and the various clinics I attend can see what's going on. Especially now that my records have been merged and a lot of mysteries cleared up. I know this because I've had conversations with consultants when they comment on something the GP has done/asked for and vice versa. They're always reading off the screen at the time and I can see what they're looking at.

 

[trophywench]

No, No Alison - they don't mean having access to the results of tests the hospital have done.

They mean they are not allowed to REQUEST certain tests - let's say they couldn't request a C-peptide or something for some other prob - but would have to refer the patient to the consultant , which delays the patient and the doc from knowing whether you are T1 or T2 when you aren't a classic case?

Or indeed, the tests for LADA.

 

[AlisonM]

Ah, I misread it.