Doing as we're told?

[AndrewSchofield]

Does anyone know our rights with regard to our son and advice given by NHS professionals? Our 3yr old son had a problem with his back after falling in the park around Christmas/New Year. We took him to the doctors a couple of times who said it was probably just a strain and gave him painkillers. My wife eventually demanded he went for an x-ray and it turned out he had a suspected collapsed vertebrea and was refered to a specialist at a Children's hospital. We went along and he ordered a couple more x-rays before advising that he didn't feel like there was anything more they could do, the only other thing they could do was an MRI scan which would involve a general aneasthetic so didn't really want to go down that road with a child. He was walking normally and his back was straight and if they proved it was a collapsed vertebrea they wouldn't treat it anyway, just monitor it and let it heal. He sent us away and told us to return in 6 weeks. Since then our son has had no problems with his back at all. When his 6 week appointment came he got a sickness bug so we cancelled and rearranged the appointment. Then last week we got an appointment for an MRI scan - totally out of the blue. We've contacted the speciallist's secretary and she's spoken to him and apparently they have an x-ray review meeting once a fortnight and they decided at this meeting that he should go for an MRI scan. They are insisting that we now go for this scan.

Our problem is that it is now 13 weeks since he had the problem with his back, 8 weeks since he last showed any signs of pain and 9 weeks since the specialist told us there was no point having an MRI scan - indeed 9 weeks since the specialist last saw him. I understand that a collapsed vertebrea would heal itself within 4-6weeks. Obviously i want to do the best for my son, but equally i don't want him to have to have a General and a scan that there is no need for, especially since we haven't been told why he now needs one.

Do the NHS have a legal right to demand he goes for the scan because he's a child, or as his parents, do we have the right to refuse the scan, at the very least until we've had an explanation as to why he is having it? (sorry for the long post - thought the circumstances needed explaining!)

 

[Shutpa]

If he was my son and it was decided that he should have the scan at a meeting of the consultant and his team then I would go for it. I have just gone through a scan myself for the sole purpose of proving that I do not have a malignancy. Better to find out now whether any harm has been done than simply live in hope.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

Thanks for your thoughts Bolo. I'm not opposed to him having the scan if its needed, i would just like an expanation of why he needs it and what they're looking for before he has it, rather than just a scan appointment card in the post, out of the blue.

 

[JohnD]

... refered to a specialist at a Children's hospital. We went along and he ordered a couple more x-rays before advising that he didn't feel like there was anything more they could do, the only other thing they could do was an MRI scan which would involve a general aneasthetic so didn't really want to go down that road with a child...

If the treatment you are being offered is the opposite of what the consultant told you, I think you are entitled to ask the consultant to explain why. If you have no luck on the phone, write a two-line letter to him, by name, saying "at our consultation on (date) you told us X and now we have been instructed to attend for an MRI scan. Can you explain why this has changed please"

However:

When his 6 week appointment came he got a sickness bug so we cancelled and rearranged the appointment.

Did you take him to this rearranged appointment? What was said?

 

[Bahco]

It is always better to have non invasive investigations such as a MRI scan for peace of mind.

You will not need an anaesthetic though>

 

[AndrewSchofield]

Bahco - its for my 3yr old son - they have to have a general anaesthetic because there is no other way to get a 3yr old to lie still during the scan. Thats why the consultant advised us that an MRI scan was a bad idea - because of him having to have the General.

 

[Igorian]

Difficult as an outsider to advise, and I can understand your anguish. If it were my decision, I think I would go for the scan. There's always a risk with any anaesthetic but, IMHO, I think I would risk that against a possible lifetime of further problems had they not been discovered at a time where they might be rectified.

Have you asked why they now insist on a scan? Perhaps their answers might help with your decision.

 

[Bahco]

As Igorian I would go for the scan as it is best to be sure everything is ok. As the scan is likely to be very expensive, they must want to be absolutely sure that all is well.

Good luck with your decision and I wish you all the best.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

Have you asked why they now insist on a scan? Perhaps their answers might help with your decision.

Tried to - it seems either the bloke doesn't know how to use a telephone or just wont speak to people over the phone because we can only speak to his secretary who can't explain the situation. They've agreed to see us again before the scan (next week) so we can find out more! To me a conversation over the phone would have sufficed and been less time consuming for both of us and the consultant but if thats the way it has to be? Will have to see what happens. Like i say, i'm not too worried about him having the scan if its the best thing to do, just want to know why???

 

[tim west]

blloming hell Ig, you got an oxygen mask on rare to see you up here

 

[dave1953]

I think the NHS are very protective with children and maybe they just want to explore every eventuallity, not a bad thing methinks just to determine there is'nt or won't be any problems. It's a difficult one but all the best whatever you decide.

 

[WDIK]

Do the NHS have a legal right to demand he goes for the scan because he's a child, or as his parents, do we have the right to refuse the scan, at the very least until we've had an explanation as to why he is having it?

I understand your anguish, but at any time have they actually said they will resort to forcing the issue?

on the other hand, there other scenario's where they will seek a court order, to allow certain treatments, such as in the case of jehova wittness's who wont allow blood products for their child.

I suppose it depends on the gravity of any condition and consequence of subsiquent lack of treatment.

bottom line, medical experts have the right to apply to the courts for a temporary care order.

denying treatment could ultimately be considered legally child abuse.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

I understand your anguish, but at any time have they actually said they will resort to forcing the issue?

denying treatment could ultimately be considered legally child abuse.

WDIK - i've no intention of refusing to take him for the treatment if they can explain why its necessary. The only reason i was asking the question about having to do as they say is because, like you say, i don't want them to start thinking he's being abused because we're not taking him for the scan (another sad fact from the society we now live in). I know if it was me, as an adult and i refused the treatment they may be unable to force me to have the scan, but i was wondering if with children they can do what they think is best whether we agree or not.

As it is we're going to see the consultant again on Monday and if, after seeing our lad again and discussing why they think the scan is necessary, it still turns out to be needed, then he'll be having the scan on Tuesday.

 

[kjacko]

I have great respect for the work of people in the medical profesison, but to be blunt they can be ar$eholes at times!

As you say, why can the consultant simply not come to the phone and explain the reasons for the scan?
Its ridiculous, and the more you pry, by asking other people, the more they'll close ranks on you.
It honestly can get that stupid at times.

Give em hell when you get to the consultants to ask why 'in person' your son now needs the mri.

Good luck to you mate.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

Just an update to anyone who is interested - we went to see the consultant last Monday. We spent all of 5 mins discussing the reasons for the scan - which i still think he could have just have easily done over the phone and given our appointment to a child who may need it more, but anyway... - After our January appointment he discussed the x-rays with a colleague to check they'd have given the same advice. They said they would but would maybe have requested an MRI to check for a non-serious bone condition which may have caused the collapsed vertebrea - so he decided to do the MRI. He finished by saying that he'd expect to get the results by the end of April at which point he'd make an appointment for us to go back and discuss them.... or (he added) i can just write to you? He can write to us with the results of the scan, but couldn't write to us to tell us why he was going for the scan - madness!?!

Our son had the MRI on Tuesday and after a crazy afternoon in the Children's hospital, it all went well and he was fine with the whole thing. Just got to sit back and wait for the results now!