I think you’re right, but I
sympathise with those who say that they sometimes take the easier option. Mind
you, we charge £50 to validate the referral, and that tends to lead to a few
slammed doors too.
From:
Sent: 28 November 2007 17:42
To:
Subject: Do I have to refer
privately?
Just
had a patient slam out because I have said that I do not think his ankle
requires physio. (Turned it over yesterday, minimal bruising and
swelling, walking normally, needing no analgesia).
He
insists that as he belongs to a scheme that he is entitled to use it on each
and every occasion that he wishes (several previous referrals). I feel I have a
duty to refer only if I think it appropriate, not on demand, and
that is why BUPA have told him to ask me for a referral. I have said that I am
happy to discuss it with BUPA if they care to phone me. He is quite sure that
if he asked the physio if it needed physio he would say yes. I agree that he
would!, and BUPA know that, and that's why they ask him to see
me first rather than self-refer.
What
do you think?
Mike