How Difficult Is It To Get An X-Ray?

[Caran]

I have been trying for nearly a month now. It's unbelievable the chain of events.
Saw nurse practitioner at the beginning of this month as I am in a lot of pain with my hips and back.
She agreed I need an X-ray. I saw her on the Thursday. She said ring hospital on Monday to make an appointment. I did this, I hadn't been referred by doctors.. I rang surgery they said they would get a message to doctor and would phone me when I could ring hospital.
Ieard nothing for a week. Rang surgery again. Doctor will not refer me until she has had a telephone appointment with me. That was yesterday.
She said I do no this need an X-ray as I had one a year ago. I told her the pain is not the same as last year. She reluctantly said she would refer me for an X-ray and to ring the hospital in ten minutes.
I did. I couldn't have an appointment yet as they need to "check it out first"
I don't know what they meant by that but she said they need 24 hours to do this. She told me to ring Tuesday morning. That's a lot longer than 24 hours in my book! I asked if the results would be available for Friday as I have an appointment with doctor. She said I don't know, it's up to the doctor to chase it up.
I'm beginning to despair with this branch of NHS.

[Mamyalynne]

It does sound convoluted Caran, I have only ever has x rays after arriving in A&E in pieces, though I did have a DXA Bone scan this morning.

That was a hospital referral and took 5 weeks to come through.

[Caran]

Mamya, daughter keeps on at me to go to A&E. we also have a walk in X-ray department in Gloucester. I suppose I should have stirred myself and done something about it.

[tonyav]

I agree with your daughter, Caran. A & E soon get your X rays done.

[albaqwerty]

blooming heck! sorry to hear about your pain, Caran.

I saw a gp 2 weeks ago, gave me referral letter for xray. Go to hospital between 9 and 4, mon to fri, so in effect, any time/day that suits. Am very lucky.

[Peter Pedant]

I am sorry this occurred Caran
there are times in the NHS ou cant get onto the carousel or conveyor belt and it is torture for the patient who is left saying - "but there is something wrong with me!"

[My faves are missing my lymphoma, and calling a temperature of 40'C in a 74 y o - "common and probably flu" - primary kleb septicaemia]

I would go to the Gloucester walk in clinic

o hahahaha I must tell you - I was an acute TB contact in 1980 - and the X ray department (no dr) point blank refused to do a screening x ray(*). I kinda went frooda back door and I have to say in fairness the radiologist asked me post x ray in front of the refusers - when did you have your first bout of TB ? oops they should have done a screening x ray when I asked them to. foo weird dat was

(*) wrong kind of doctor ordering it. 'go to mass radiography' wh was kinda really crazy as it had ended 15 y prior

[bunkmoreland]

They are not treating you as an urgent case. Your daughter is right,A/E only answer. People and stats have to be looked at there.

[ummmm]

Phone 111. I'm assuming you haven't had an accident and as you're posting on here I take it it's not an emergency.

Get back to your GP and be stern.

[bednobs]

what pain killers are you taking caran?

[bednobs]

ps i completely disagree with the "go to a and e" answers, as this is neither an accident nor an emergency

[maggiebee]

Sorry to hear you are getting the "run around" Caran. Like Alba I too was very lucky, saw GP and he sent me to hospital the same day for an X-Ray. Hope things work out for you, constant pain is no joke.

[Sqad]

It should be impossible to get an X-Ray without seeing a DR.
An X-Ray is not always the line of management.
I agree with bednobs 1300...A=Accident E= Emergency

You need to take the painkillers until you see your GP and he/she will decide if you need an X-Ray....not you.

[dannyk13]

I must be lucky with my GP's. If an X-ray is need ed they just give you a letter and you go to the hospital at your convenience.

[TonyV]

Caran I think your best bet is to go to A & E, but expect a wait over bank holiday weekend.

[pixie374]

I have found the same Danny. Mostly with my youngest son... they will arrange an immediate x-ray, if they think it is necessary.
Are nurses qualified to say if an x-ray is needed?

[douglas9401]

We got a new X-ray suite in our local hospital a few years ago.
Many doors to may small rooms where the magic happens.
GPs assess you and phone to book you in if required, there's usually a space by the time you get there or at worst a short wait.
Hard to understand why it's not that simple everywhere. It's not rocket science.

[pixie374]

It generally is, Doug... if they think you actually need an x-ray. It seems caran's doctors are not convinced.

[hc4361]

Please don't go to A&E

[TonyV]

hc why your response to not attend A & E. Depending on pain level I would consider ringing 999.

[jno]

A and E is supposed to mean accident and emergency. Then again, GP is supposed to mean general practitioner but if yours won't deal with standard matters like X-rays, you have to find alternatives.

[pixie374]

999 if it is life-threatening. 111 if urgent (or just google)
Doctor for a referral.