Treatment on the NHS

Please keep anon.

I have a scar that I feel very very insecure about, so much so that I'm getting depressed by it and often cry about it, it's really dominating my life. I went to a doctor who said that I can't get treatment for it on the NHS because it's cosmetic, only privately. But that costs hundreds/thousands and it's almost laughable cos there's no way I have that kind of money.

If something cosmetic is causing lots of distress, does anyone know if doctors can make allowances? I can't find the information anywhere.

I just really don't know what to do.

Reply 1

dh00001

16

you can try again and say how much it is interfering and damaging your life. im not certain if it will change what they say though im afraid

Reply 2

tom_tom_tom

18

the nhs will make allowance for things that are effecting peoples lifes i would go and see the doctor again and explain this them them!

Reply 3

Aeana

10

I know that in my local hospital they run a cosmetic camouflage clinic. It's basically using this special kind of make up that really helps to blend in any scarring or discolouring in the skin that a patient may have. I have some scars on my shoulder from an operation and at first I felt self conscious about them and really down so I booked an appointment and they showed me how to apply the camouflage and it really worked. After a while I didn't feel the need to do it anymore.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is...maybe your local hospital has a similar clinic.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Unfortunately the scar is raised (keloid) and growing. So it's not something that can be coloured, only surgically removed (or other such treatment).

:frown:

I can't find information anywhere about whether any exceptions to their rule can be made. It's embarrassing enough to go and see the doc in the first place and all they do is say sorry.

Reply 5

Imported

Have you seen a dermatologist?

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

OP

Imported

Have you seen a dermatologist?

My GP won't refer me to anyone, because he says it's not covered.

Reply 7

anna_spanner89

well, try seeing another doctor, explain the mental distress it's caused..and suggest to try counselling first, if after that you're still self concious they may refer you on, is it anywhere visable? I know some facial scars they do help with as i had one..but unfortunately, if it's not visable and disrupting your life, your doctor is right.

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

OP

anna_spanner89

well, try seeing another doctor, explain the mental distress it's caused..and suggest to try counselling first, if after that you're still self concious they may refer you on, is it anywhere visable? I know some facial scars they do help with as i had one..but unfortunately, if it's not visable and disrupting your life, your doctor is right.

It is in the facial region yes, I wouldn't have cared if it was elsewhere. It is not too noticeable now as my hair just about covers it from the side but it's growing.

Reply 9

Imported

You wont be able to use the NHS if its for cosmetic reasons alone. If it occured as a result of an injury then they might be able to help out.

Reply 10

Talya

16

Are there any creams/oils that you can try to start to help reduce it?

Reply 11

Renal

17

Anonymous

Unfortunately the scar is raised (keloid) and growing. So it's not something that can be coloured, only surgically removed (or other such treatment).

I'm fairly certain that therein lies a problem.

Reply 12

YAP

I think allowances can be made. To draw a parallel: Viagra cannot be prescribed on the NHS, apart from to certain groups of people with certain medication conditions, or people for whom impotence is causing 'clinically significant distress'. A diagnosis of clinically significant distress requires a psychological evaluation, but if they conclude that prescribing someone one Viagra a week will fix their distress and the alternatives would be more costly, then they can do it. Viagra, at however much a pill, is still cheaper than needing talking therapies, mental health drugs etc. so in this case they figure in the absence of any other psychological problem, the Viagra is the best option.

So, turning to your case, explain the problem to your GP in terms of distress. The likelihood is, as anna_spanner89 mentioned, you'll be referred first for some counselling. Keep an open mind for this - it might be that it makes you feel okay without the surgery, which would be good. Otherwise, if the counsellor concludes that what you need really is that surgery because it's ruining your life not having it, then that can go on record and it pushed through on clinical rather than cosmetic grounds - the confirmed distress gives a clinical reason, which is what they need.

And to back up Renal's point, informative as always, mention that it's growing. That might hurry things along a bit too.

Reply 13

Nally

10

Having just spent almost a year battling the NHS about something similar, it IS possible but it is a very very long drawn out process which starts with finding a GP sympathetic to the mental distress it is causing. PM me if you want any more advice or whatever x

Reply 14

Renal

17

Nally

Having just spent almost a year battling the NHS about something similar, it IS possible but it is a very very long drawn out process which starts with finding a GP sympathetic to the mental distress it is causing.

Although it would be incorrect to deny that there is an element of perception involved, these things are usually governed by very strict eligibility criteria. Your problem may not be so much the GP as your local PCT, availability of MaxFac or plastics, NICE or DH.

Reply 15

Nally

10

Renal

Although it would be incorrect to deny that there is an element of perception involved, these things are usually governed by very strict eligibility criteria. Your problem may not be so much the GP as your local PCT, availability of MaxFac or plastics, NICE or DH.

I didn't meet the eligibility criteria for my PCT, however after applying three times and eventually getting an appeal they granted me funding and I am going out of area for treatment. It wasn't easy and took up a LOT of my time and effort but I couldn't afford the 10k to go private.

Reply 16

Paeony

11

iTalya

Are there any creams/oils that you can try to start to help reduce it?

Bio-oil (it's about £7/£8 a bottle) can help with scarring. I have a lot of burn scars on my arms after years of working in kitchens, and I find that bio-oil really does help with reducing them. It's a slow process though, but it's worth trying.

OP, go back to the docs and ask to see another GP who is a bit more sympathetic. It is a long drawn out process but if you can prove that the scarring is affecting you mentally then they can help you.

Reply 17

Renal

17

Paeony

OP, go back to the docs and ask to see another GP who is a bit more sympathetic.

Not many GP practices have a ranking of doctors in order of general sympathy...

Reply 18

Old Timer

Yes you can, if you can show it is cuaing you exteme distress.
However, if it is a keloid there are limits to what can be done anyway, as surgury may just mean it grows back.

Reply 19

Paeony

11

Renal

Not many GP practices have a ranking of doctors in order of general sympathy...

No, but different GPs have different attitudes towards patients, particularly when patients are complaining of mental distress. It's sensible to go and see another GP at a practice if you're not happy with the treatment plan/level of care offered by a particular individual - no, they're not 'ranked by sympathy', but you won't know if there are any alternative treatments if you don't try speaking to someone who might just be a little more understanding.

Treatment on the NHS

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