MRI report goes straight to G.P. (?)

Hospital inform me this is what happens? No-one has any indication of how long it will take, although my own surgery are good at calling you in for results. Neurology unavailable to ask.

Hi, I believe you should get a copy of the report. It will be in medi-speak, so see your GP for an explanation yeh?

pollx

Well, the usual thing (in my experience) is for the Consultant Radiologist’s report on the MRI to go first to the specialist who commissioned the scan and under whose care the patient formally is for this purpose (usually a Consultant Neurologist).

The Consultant Neurologist would then write to the GP to give his/her opinion on what the scan results meant, but I think it would be unusual not to write to or phone the patient as well, if only to say that he or she needs to make an appointment to come in to discuss the results (unless the Neurologist has decided that no further investigation is necessary).

The exception would be if your GP commissioned the scan directly: then the radiology report might go straight back to him/her if you are not actually under the care of a hospital specialist. I know that this happens for some people, but it is less usual.

Alison

So, the g.p. tells you any results?

Foxy. It depends on your hospital. Mine I have signed to get a copy of the letter going to the docs. If it’s got anything like a diagnosis being sent to my gp I will get the same letter so could find out by post!!!.

I was told my MRI results would go to my neuro - my first appointment is this week, but as it happened they went to my GP instead and she called me in.

I think it depends on your GP and your consultant.

NHS Constitution says that the patient should receive a copy of any letter from a consultant to a GP.

What is usually written is both very short and in “medispeak”. Sort of like " … Two areas of high signal strength were noted and this can be indicative of MS … "

More to the point, the Consultant’s letter usually has the diagnosis, any medication or change to medication needed, and if any urgent action is needed. These tend to come first, then the text of the report. Remember that you can get a copy of the scan(s) and the software to view them right after the actual scan - but it usually costs for the CD, the scan files, and the software to view them.

Talking to your GP about the letter is always a good idea - you never know when you may want their expertise.

Geoff