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jpuk · 10-31-2005, 08:47 AM

I have great faith in him. He is in fact the most senior clinical oncologist at one of the leading hospitals in London: a centre of excellence for breast cancer medicine where the pool of medical expertise is second to none in the world. Moreover he has put himself out to prescribe the most up-to-date leading edge medicine for me, with drugs which are not usually available in the UK. He is a careful Scot, and my guess is that there was some truth in what both he and his registrar have said.

By the way, in the UK we cannot just switch about between hospitals like changing supermarkets. It is possible to transfer, but only for good cause and it requires a referral from one consultant to another. Transfer can also risk building in delays to treatment, as the second consultant can decline the transfer, especially if the lists are full. Of course, if you pay privately you can shop around as you please until you find someone who will tell you what you want to hear (although as a lawyer I must say that shopping around will not necessarily procure the best professional advice) but thank goodness I do not have to pay the colossal costs of my treatment.

10-31-2005, 08:47 AM	#6
jpuk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 8	consultant status I have great faith in him. He is in fact the most senior clinical oncologist at one of the leading hospitals in London: a centre of excellence for breast cancer medicine where the pool of medical expertise is second to none in the world. Moreover he has put himself out to prescribe the most up-to-date leading edge medicine for me, with drugs which are not usually available in the UK. He is a careful Scot, and my guess is that there was some truth in what both he and his registrar have said. By the way, in the UK we cannot just switch about between hospitals like changing supermarkets. It is possible to transfer, but only for good cause and it requires a referral from one consultant to another. Transfer can also risk building in delays to treatment, as the second consultant can decline the transfer, especially if the lists are full. Of course, if you pay privately you can shop around as you please until you find someone who will tell you what you want to hear (although as a lawyer I must say that shopping around will not necessarily procure the best professional advice) but thank goodness I do not have to pay the colossal costs of my treatment.