Deciding
Is a second opinion right for me?
Most people who ask for a second opinion are not looking for a different answer. They are looking for confidence in the answer they already have, or clarity when they do not.
This is not an emergency service and this self-check is not medical advice. If you have a new or worsening symptom that concerns you, contact your clinical team.
Find the guide for your situation
Knee & meniscus
Pain after keyhole surgery, meniscus choices and problems with a knee replacement.
4 patient guides
Hip replacement
Walking difficulties, tendon problems, leg length, painful implants and dislocation.
5 patient guides
ACL surgery & recovery
Understand an unsatisfactory result or ongoing problems after reconstruction.
2 patient guides
Achilles tendon
A late diagnosis, persistent weakness or a longstanding or repeat rupture.
3 patient guides
Fractures & healing
A fracture found later than expected, or healing that is not progressing.
2 patient guides
Recovery & revision
Make sense of unexpected recovery or a proposal for another operation.
2 patient guides01 / Making your decision
Common reasons people seek one
- You have been told you need surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement, and want an independent view before deciding.
- You have had an operation and are still in pain, or recovery is not going the way you expected.
- You have been given conflicting advice by different clinicians and are not sure which to follow.
- You want to understand your options in more depth than a single appointment allowed.
- You simply want to feel sure before committing to a big decision about your own body.
All of these are reasonable. The General Medical Council expects doctors to respect a patient’s right to seek a second opinion, and asking for one does not mean you are being difficult or that you have lost trust in your team.
02 / Making your decision
When to go back to your own team instead
A second opinion is not always the right next step. Consider going back to your existing consultant or GP first if:
- You have not yet asked them to explain the diagnosis or the reasoning behind it: many questions can be answered without a second appointment.
- Your symptoms have changed since you were last seen.
- You are due a scheduled follow-up appointment where these questions could be raised.
- You are unhappy with how you were treated rather than with the clinical advice itself: that is a different conversation, usually with PALS or the trust’s patient experience team.
03 / Making your decision
When to contact your existing clinical team
This service is not an emergency service and appointments are not same day. If you have a new or worsening symptom that concerns you, for example sudden severe pain, a hot swollen joint, a wound that looks infected, or any symptom your original team told you to report urgently, contact your existing clinical team. Do not wait for a second-opinion appointment.
04 / Making your decision
What a second opinion can and cannot do
It can give you an independent clinical view, based on your history, your imaging and an examination, and a written summary you can keep or share. It cannot guarantee a different answer: a second opinion that confirms your existing plan is a common and useful outcome. It also does not automatically transfer your care; see second opinions and the NHS for how a private opinion sits alongside NHS care.
Second Opinion Clinic
Talk through your next step.
£400 · 45 minutes · Monthly clinic sessions
Confirm the next clinic date, location and available slot when booking.