MRI scan waiting list......

[ELVIS68]

Last week my doctor said he's going to book me for a scan for my ongoing back problem.
Is it a case of going on a waiting list or does it depend on what the doctor has put in his letter to the hospital?

[sunny-dave]

Maximum waiting time is 13 weeks - but in most areas MRI scans are getting done much faster as they are working the kit round the clock (and at weekends in some places).

You should get a call from the 'choose and book' people (or be given a number to call them) - if you are flexible in your availability and/or can attend at short notice then you may get scanned quite quickly.

[ELVIS68]

Cheers Dave, what about when the scan's done, do they talk to you at the hospital about it or do they send the results back to the docs?

[EDDIE51]

Took about 6 weeks to get mine. I went on a Saturday morning.

[naomi24]

I had one earlier in the year. The date of the appointment was sent to me from the hospital in the post and I only waited a couple of weeks - and the consultant wrote to me with the results shortly afterwards.

[EDDIE51]

The person doing the scan is just a machine operator not medically trained , they just 'Take the photo' and send it on , they don't tell you anything.

[ELVIS68]

6 weeks? :o(

He booked a physio for me 5 weeks ago and I'm still waiting to hear from them

[Maydup]

Keep on at them Elvis. Phone them up and ask about the physio appointment. There's chance they'll have a cancelation but if not ask how far up the list you are as you're in agony. It sometimes prompts something.

Same with the scan. If you haven't heard after 3 weeks ring them and see where you are on the list.

[ELVIS68]

When my back goes, the view from behind from the waist up looks like the leaning tower of Pisa!.
My only worry is if my back is ok when I go for a scan will it still pick up any problems?

[ELVIS68]

Thanks all, really need to get it sorted out.

I'll let you know how I get on

[mrs.chappie]

Good Luck Elvis.

[ELVIS68]

Thanks mrs c

[baza]

once you get the physio app go for it they will assess your needs, they will take into account your scan etc.

[baza]

meant to say if your physio app comes before the scan, still go for it, do not put it off as it may put you further down the waiting list. Good luck.
Are you in Manor House?

[ELVIS68]

I'll definately still go for the physio, about 7 years ago my old GP booked me a physio and by the time the app came round my back was ok, she gave me a few exercises to do and told me to come back and see her when my back went again, I shuffled in there next time my back went only to be told she no longer worked there and I had to go back and get my GP to re-book it!

I was in Enfield then but moved to the sticks so Manor House is off the radar now

[baza]

ELVIS I used to be in Manor House and Transport Hospital Fund both had paybill deductions, THF re-embursed medical bills and Manor House had a brilliant hospital in north london, maybe it is worth exploring to get sorted quicker.

[ELVIS68]

Thanks baza, I'll bear that it mind if I don't hear from them in the next few weeks

[theprof]

EDDIE51, whilst I would be the first to agree that the MRI technicians do send the "photo" on, you're doing them an injustice by saying they're not medically qualified.

On the contrary, they are very well qualified. they have to know exactly what "type" of MRI to do, and yes, there are many different types of plane settings and scan types for the machinery. It's not a "one size fits all" scenario, believe me. On top of this, there's always a fully-qualified radiologist at the MRI suite even if they don't look like doctors who have specialised in radiology.

When you return to see your consultant after the MRI scan, the radiologist will have given his opinion regarding the interpretation of the scan. I'm afraid your specialist, no matter how well qualified he or she is, is not qualified to interpret MRI or even CT scans. Take a close look at the monitor in the consultants office and you'll see that the radiologist has told the consultant what the MRI scan shows.

For extremely nervous and claustrophobic patients, the radiologist will administer a light sedative to the patient. Only a doctor can do this. MrsProf tells me that she's never known an MRI suite in operation without a radiologist in constant attendance and she should know as she's a university professor of medicine herself deeply involved with imaging techniques.