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AN EXTRALAYER

The added reassurance of a second medical opinion

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Being diagnosed with a serious illness can be a worrying time and can impact everyone differently. It’s normal to have a range of emotions and questions but not know where to turn to for help or reassurance.

That’s why when you tell us you need help, we’ll give you access to a dedicated nurse from independent nurse advice service RedArc through our Helping Hand service.

Your dedicated nurse is there to provide tailored and personal support whenever you need it – for as long as you need it. Whether it’s someone to talk to or access to specialist services, you’ll always speak to the same person.

After giving you a call to understand your situation and diagnosis better, your nurse might recommend wider practical support such as a face-to-face second medical opinion.

Why might you need a second medical opinion?There are lots of reasons people might need a second medical opinion:• Confirmation of a diagnosis.• You’ve undergone treatment but are

concerned that symptoms are continuing.• Recommended treatment is risky, invasive

or has lifelong consequences and you need help to make a decision.

• You have doubts about information or recommendations from your current consultant.

How does it work?Once you’ve agreed with your dedicated nurse that a second medical opinion could be beneficial, the nurse will organise a

consultation with a consultant specialising in that field.

Before the consultation, your nurse will give you some guidance, such as questions to ask and what to expect.

These consultations are held face-to-face and as they are provided by a UK-based consultant specialist, recommendations and treatment are in line with UK NICE guidelines and available in the UK.

This service is completely confidential and no information will be shared with Royal London without your consent.

After the consultationAfter the consultation, a medical report will be sent to you and your GP. Your nurse will follow up with you to go over the report. This may involve considering other services or tests through the NHS or privately, making decisions or perhaps coming to terms with a disappointing outcome.

Your dedicated nurse can continue to provide long term support if you are adjusting to a serious condition.

Is there any cost?You won’t pay anything extra to use Helping Hand, including a second medical opinion. You don’t even need to make a claim, it’s available from the day your cover starts.

However other costs such as travelling expenses, additional diagnostic tests or ongoing treatment are not included.

Families (partner and/or children) can use the service too – even if they’re not covered by the plan.

Helping Hand is a package of support services, provided by third parties that aren’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. These services aren’t part of our terms and conditions, so can be amended or withdrawn at any time.

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Helen is a self-employed mortgage consultant. Her role as an adviser gave her good insight into choosing which insurance company she wanted to go for. She opted for Royal London for the added value services such as Helping Hand.

Helen was diagnosed with a grade three/grade four tumour and initially told that she’d need a full hysterectomy. She called Helping Hand and was put in touch with her dedicated nurse Pat.

Speaking with Pat gave Helen the reassurance that if someone at the hospital couldn’t help, Pat would be able to. She gave Helen some focus and direction on how to move forward following her diagnosis.

Pat got in touch to say that second medical opinion had come to Royal London and that she was eligible to see another consultant. This included arranging a second medical opinion to check her diagnosis.

Pat arranged for a consultation with a different specialist consultant at no cost to Helen, meaning that Helen had no stress with it at all.

Helen says: “Once I’d seen my consultant at the Royal Marsden, he had assessed the slides again and it had gone from a grade three/four tumor to a grade one tumour which was huge for me”.

Since getting the second opinion meant that Helen no longer needed the full hysterectomy, it allowed her to go away and have fertility treatment to preserve her eggs.

The process was very straightforward. Helen had to have a quick interview with her doctor that took around five minutes and then within four weeks her claim was paid.

“Once I’d seen my consultant at the Royal Marsden, he had assessed the slides again and it had gone from a grade three/four tumour to a grade one tumour which was huge for me.”

HELEN’S STORY

March 2019 SAP8P10027

Royal London1 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DG

royallondon.com

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The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The firm is on the Financial Services

Register, registration number 117672. It provides life assurance and pensions. Registered in England and Wales, company number 99064. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL. Royal London Marketing Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and introduces Royal London’s customers to

other insurance companies. The firm is on the Financial Services Register, registration number 302391. Registered in England and Wales company number 4414137. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL.

Benefits of the service:• UK based face-to-face consultation.• Recommendations and treatment advice are in line with UK NICE guidelines

and available in the UK.• Consultations can be arranged very quickly with a consultant specialist.• Delays in making important treatment decisions are minimised.• Includes all medical conditions, including mental health and children’s conditions.• Support from the dedicated nurse is available both before and after second

medical opinion, for as long as necessary.