Get a written medical second opinion

The four stages of a second opinion

1. 1. Document review

   We check that the file is complete enough for a consultant to give a meaningful opinion: diagnosis summary, recent imaging, pathology or biopsy reports where relevant, and current medication. If something essential is missing we tell you precisely what to obtain before the review starts.

2. 2. Consultant review

   The file goes to a named consultant in the relevant department at an accredited hospital — not to a call centre. For complex oncology, transplant and paediatric cases the hospital may convene a multidisciplinary tumour board or transplant committee.

3. 3. Written opinion

   You receive a written response covering whether the proposed treatment is appropriate, what reasonable alternatives exist, what workup would be repeated on arrival, and the realistic outcome range for your case.

4. 4. Your decision

   There is no obligation to travel. If the opinion supports treatment closer to home, or watchful waiting, we say so plainly. A second opinion that changes nothing is still a useful outcome.

When a second opinion is worth requesting

• A major operation has been recommended and you want to know whether a less invasive option exists.
• A cancer diagnosis where staging, protocol or the sequence of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is unclear.
• You have been told nothing further can be done, and want that reviewed by a high-volume centre.
• A transplant workup where donor suitability or timing is in question.
• An estimate you have received seems disproportionate to the diagnosis.