Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Second opinion

You may request a second (or further) opinion if you are not satisfied with the advice you have received or the treatment that has been offered to you by your GP, consultant or other healthcare professional.

A second opinion can only be obtained by a referral from your GP. Although you have no legal right to a second opinion, GPs rarely refuse, unless there is sufficient reason and they do not think it is necessary.

The Royal College of General Practitioners ‘Good Medical Practice for General Practitioners’ (2002) states that “In general, you [the GP] should respect the patient’s request for a referral for a second opinion, although there may be circumstances in which you judge it not to be in the patient’s best interests to be referred.�

If a GP refers you for a second opinion, it should be to a GP or consultant who they consider competent to deal with your case. Although you cannot insist on seeing a particular expert, you should not be referred to someone you do not wish to see.

• Why is it necessary?
• How does it work?
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Recommendations
• Complaints

• SARSScabiesScarlet feverScarsSchizophreniaSciaticaScoliosisScurvySeasonal affective disorderSecond opinionSelf-injurySeptic shockSexual health clinicsSexually transmitted infectionsShinglesShort-sightednessSick building syndromeSickle-cell anaemiaSinusitisSjogren's syndromeSlapped cheek syndromeSleep apnoeaSlipped discSmear testSmoking (quitting)SnoringSore throatSpina bifidaSpinal muscular atrophySports injuriesSprainsSquintStaphylococcal infectionsSterilisationStillbirthStings, insectStings, marine creaturesStreptococcal infectionsStressStretch marksStrokeSubarachnoid haemorrhageSubdural haematomaSudden infant death syndromeSuicideSunburnSupraventricular tachycardiaSyphilis

  ---