Key Benefits of a Private Referral:
Ability to choose the professional that you see
Assessments by fully qualified and accredited professionals
An expert opinion within a timeframe of your choice
A quick response to referrals
Experience in the use of established and emerging treatment options
Advise on the use of new and complex treatment regimens
Quick access to Out-patient Psychological Therapies
Referrals
Referrals are accepted from GPs and other health professionals.
Although there is often an understandable reluctance to ask GPs for a referral to see a psychiatrist, the information provided by the GP is extremely valuable and increases the potential benefit to the patient. The GP will provide important background information regarding past treatment, medical conditions that could be relevant when prescribing or advising treatment as well as details regarding prescribed medication which may otherwise be forgotten.
The General Medical Council provides clear guidance in the publication "
Good Medical Practice" in this regard. Different practitioners manage the implications of this guidance in different ways, but where specialists are not able to provide 24 hour cover through emergency or "on-call" cross-cover, the involvement of the GP is essential. The best way of ensuring that the GP is aware of the referral and able to support any shared care arrangement is by asking your GP for a referral.
Aside from the benefits provided at the time of the initial assessment, excluding the GP undermines continuity of care and is therefore a barrier to providing safe care.
Initial Assessments
Why is the initial assessment so important and so detailed?
The majority of patients with mental illness will be under the care of their General Practitioner (GP). Although many people recognise symptoms of mental illness within themselves, it is often the case that relatives and carers become aware of these changes in the first instance and approach the GP for help. GP's may also be consulted for "physical" conditions, and at consultation, diagnose an underlying anxiety disorder or a disorder of mood, usually a depressive illness.
At times the symptoms of mood disorders can be confused with physical or other psychological conditions. The key element of the initial assessment is to establish or clarify the diagnosis. It is especially important to exclude physical causes of symptoms which appear to be those of a mood disorder.
The most common reasons for people not responding to treatment is that the diagnosis is not correct or the treatment is for a symptom, rather than the underlying cause.
Initial assessments may provide a "one off" opinion regarding diagnosis and treatment options or form the basis of a treatment package tailored to the individual's needs.
Second Opinions
The patient is already seeing an expert. Why see someone else?
Second opinions are valuable in a number of situations where there is a partial response to treatment or even, as in rare cases, failure of response. There may be concern regarding the diagnosis, questions about the treatment plan or simply the need for the reassurance provided by an independent review. In such situations, it is always prudent to involve the team currently providing treatment. Failure to do so is rarely beneficial.
Whilst the lack of access to the current treatment plan allows for an unbiased opinion, the lack of access to critical information may lead to incorrect advise which could undermine care.
Advise may be sought in the following areas:
There have been countless studies showing the advantages of complex treatment combinations, often using doses of medication above the treatment limit recommended in the British National Formulary, or using medications licensed for other indications.
The combination of medication and cognitive therapy has been shown to be more effective than either treatment alone.
New treatment options are constantly emerging. Some have been studied more carefully than others.
Treatment Packages
Why do treatment plans need to be personalised?
Mental illness is not caused by a single chemical malfunction, but rather by a complex interaction of chemical systems, psychological factors and personality issues. Further, not everyone will accept the same treatment package. The ability to tailor the treatment package to the individual greatly increases the chances of success.
Choosing treatment in the Private Sector allows ready access to a range of therapeutic options. I would be delighted to discuss these at assessment.
Occupational Heath
The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2020 depressive disorders will become the second largest cause of disability. Stress in the workplace is an increasing problem for employers.
Both employees and employers can benefit from access to effective treatment at an early stage in the treatment of mood disorders, as this dramatically increases the chances of the patient returning to productive work.
Disclaimer and Important Information
Please note that this website and its contents are designed for educational purposes only. This website does not offer medical advice or professional services.
Please note that it is not possible or appropriate to provide a clinical assessment or advice by means of email.
Information provided on this site should not be used for the purposes of diagnosing or treating a medical or psychiatric illness. This site is not intended to be a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your doctor or health provider.
This site can not be used to request professional advice or a referral. Referrers are urged to send a standard referral letter by post or fax (contact details are on the Home Page). Patients and carers seeking clinical advice regarding someone unknown to Dr Assin are advised to contact their own GP or Secondary Care Team as direct approaches will unfortunately not receive a response. Existing private patients under the care of Dr Assin are advised to make contact via 5 The Drive (01273-778123). Existing NHS patients under the care of Dr Assin are advised to make contact via their care coordinator or their normal NHS contact point.