# self referral **URL:** \ **Category:** New diagnosis and before diagnosis\ **Created:** [21 April 2014 17:36 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917 "2014-04-21T17:36:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [21 April 2014 17:36 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917/1 "2014-04-21T17:36:38Z")
Hi, I have been reading that some of you went private for an initial consultation and then had all the relevent tests on the NHS Having been ill for 10 years now I am getting desperate How would I go about this ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [22 April 2014 06:11 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917/2 "2014-04-22T06:11:02Z")
Just find a private hosp near, find a specialist you want to see. Call them and then ask gp to do a letter to the relevant sec and you will get a appointment. Usually you get an invoice for payment after. X ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [22 April 2014 06:48 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917/3 "2014-04-22T06:48:55Z")
Yep I agree, I am seeing a new neuro, I am covered by BUPA but my cover doesn’t cover me for the consultant I am seeing, and private health care will only cover to the point of diagnosis anyway so my GP recommended I self pay to see this guy and as he is both private and NHS any follow up treatment/tests he wants to do can be under NHS. Going private for in itial consultation just gets the ball rolling quicker, I would have to wait 12 weeks+ to see him for a consultation under NHS. So choose a consultant that is both private and NHS so you can have follow ups on NHS. My initial consultation is costing me £250, but if he’s helpful it will be money well spent ---
**Author:** ![alison100](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/mssociety/user_avatar/forum.mssociety.org.uk/alison100/32/1019_2.png) [@alison100](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/alison100)\ **Post date:** [22 April 2014 06:58 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917/4 "2014-04-22T06:58:45Z")
You can use the ‘near me’ tab at the top of this page to find yourself a local MS specialist. Then you know what name to look for as you examine the list of clinicians at your local private hospital(s). Good luck. Alison ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [22 April 2014 07:31 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917/5 "2014-04-22T07:31:57Z")
Hi DB125 I have been given the run around by the NHS since 1987 and know exactly where you are coming from. I have at long last bitten the bullet and saved enough for a private consultation which I have next week. I just asked my GP for a “dear consultant” letter. She obliged and I then did the research and found, hopefully, someone who will not sit on the fence and provide some answers. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [22 April 2014 11:40 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/self-referral/20917/6 "2014-04-22T11:40:31Z")
thanks for that everyone, will give it a go