Healthcare costs - not insurance Medication review

[Maretta]

I am looking for a medical assessment of all the prescription medications my partner is on. Can anyone tell me where we could go to have this looked at professionally. Help appreciated we will pay privately.

 

[kickstart]

If it was me, I'd start with a conversation with my GP. Access to almost all consultants is predicated on a referring letter from your GP.

 

[Maretta]

Thanks, says GP ignores his request to evaluate his medication and ups the amount.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

Go to another GP for a second opinion.

You could also have a chat with your pharmacist. They are sometimes concerned about the drugs prescribed.

 

[JoeRoberts]

Can a GP really discuss these things with a partner ?

 

[GAAmam]

Are there any other GP's in the same practice? I find a difference between Doctor A, Doctor B and Doctor C in our practice. One of the other doc's might look more favourably on your request. Although it may seem odd that if your partner normally goes to Doctor A and then approaches Doctor B re reviewing meds.

 

[Tuscany]

Some VHI policies certainly offer a second opinion service.

Suggest you consult your provider if this option is available to you, if you have health insurance.

 

[Sue Ellen]

Some VHI policies certainly offer a second opinion service.

The VHI do indeed offer this service called Best Doctors but it is usually in connection with treatment received and would require the OPs partner to apply themselves. As the Best Doctors 2nd opinion is usually obtained from overseas (it certainly was in two instances for our family) the medications used in Ireland may well differ from those used abroad.

Under no circumstances should any medical professional be discussing someone else's medical issues/medications without their approval which does not appear to be 100% clear from the thread.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

Can anyone tell me where we could go

GP ignores his request to evaluate his medication

Can a GP really discuss these things with a partner ?

There is no suggestion in anything that Maretta has said that she wants to get a second opinion on his medications without his participation.

 

[Maretta]

Partner was discussing getting a professional. medical opinion on his medication, I just wondered on best way he should approach it as GP and hospital medics weren't interested when he raised his concerns. Thank you for responding - I'm passing on your replies to him.

 

[Sue Ellen]

There is no suggestion in anything that Maretta has said that she wants to get a second opinion on his medications without his participation.

I am looking for a medical assessment of all the prescription medications my partner is on.

Hi Brendan,

The opening sentence is what made me wonder.

Fair dues to this couple to investigate this matter rather than just go along with the G.P.s approach. Unfortunately so many people can be intimidated by the medical profession these days especially with the busy, busy atmosphere in practices and some only allowing one subject per visit.

 

[kickstart]

I just wondered on best way he should approach it as GP and hospital medics weren't interested when he raised his concerns

Well, as others have said, approaching another GP will work. Unless the medications are very common, and well known to the GP, they will need a consultant with expertise in a condition being treated. If more than one condition is being treated (very common) then the consultant might need possibly to talk to another consultant. The databases they have tell them about common (and uncommon) drug interactions.

The GP can also do blood tests (and send them on to the consultant) in case your OH thinks there is some problem being caused by the meds.

 

[Maretta]

Thank you for your replies - have passed them on. Very helpful.