Hi

I think it does need to be from a consultant. As far as I know you don't go directly from GP to GOSH - it's GP - regional hospital - GOSH.

In case you aren't insured and are going to meet the costs for initial consult yourself, it's about £300 odd quid for first consult and then £200 for subsequent 30 minute appts. At GOSH you have to pay by credit card before you get onto the wing and then claim back from insurer afterwards - they won't reclaim (but that may be different if you're BUPA).

Very good approach in general to get seen by paying for it, and then a private consultant will usually pop you onto their NHS list for expensive procedures. You'll wait longer for those procedures than if you could go all out private, but at least you'll know what you're going to do, and you'll have the considerable benefit of Dr Shah's pharmeceutical expertise.

Prescriptions he requests are filled by your GP so you don't have to pay out on those...

Any other queries, do ask. Been managing the private/NHS crossovers for years. Tis a fine art.

Cath

Cath - little one born 2009 has inflamatory bowel and colitis...