Rolfe,
I would go and see my homeopath first and then if I did need to go and see my doctor, then I would do so.
I would expect any well trained lay homeopath to be able to spot 'red flag' symptoms. When you first start the consultation, a homeopath will ask you what your presenting complaint is and you would be questioned about this in detail, with questoins such as how long have you had it for, when did it first start, where is the location of any pain, is there anything that makes it better or worse and things such as this and also a lot more and a lot more in depth too.
I would also expect a homeopath to be able to carry out a simple physical exam if necessary, such as taking blood pressure, listening to the heart and lungs, looking in the ears and down the throat and taking the pulse.
If a homeopath had any concerns after this, they do not mess about, but in an emergency would refer a patient straight to the nearest A and E department or would tell a patient to go and see their doctor and then come back for another consultation at a later date. They would also send a letter to the patient's GP, with their permission of course, informing them of their concerns and findings on both their questioning and examination.
Does that answer your question well enough?
