NHS Rheumatology Clinics

Starburst

I've been seeing a rheumatologist privately because I have insurance cover but he suggested a referral to an NHS rheumatology clinic. Could anyone please tell me what treatment I might have there? (My diagnosis is inflammatory arthritis. It's not RA 'officially' because, although a bone scan showed visible inflammation in my joints, my RF is negative but I do I have a persistently high ESR.) Would I see a rheumatologist or a nurse and have bloods there etc? Any information you could please share with me would be really useful.

Thank you.

c4thyg

I've done the same thing a switched to NHS after 3 years of private. It's pretty much the same except that the consultant doesn't have much time to see you so make sure that you have a list of questions with you. That way you won't feel pressured to leave quickly and forget what you need to ask. The other difference is that the nurse does your physical exam instead of the consultant but don't worry because they are specialist nurses and they have more time to go through anything you need to discuss. The big advantage to NHS (apart from cost!) is that you will have the nurses contact number or email for any questions or concerns that you might have in between appointments. Don't worry, you're in good hands.

bailey27

Hi
I have inflammatory arthritis too, they call it Sero-negative spondyloaropathy. My blood tests also show up normal for the inflammatory markers.
I have had 3 appointments with my rheumatologist, 2 times i saw the rheumy's registrar the other time i saw the consultant in person. Very nice chap and did not rush my appoitnment at all, The registrar was also very nice and the took her time on my first appointment when she examined me. It was my second appointment that I felt rushed and came out of the hospital in tears as I had forgot to ask questions and was so mad with myself. You may feel rushed so make sure you write down a list of questions before you go and make sure you get to ask as many questions as you wish as it will more than likely be several months before you see him / her again.

gickygawky

I share the same sentiment as Cathy, you willbe in safe hands - I have found the NHS to be brillaint.
I saw my Rheumatologist privately for the first 6 months or so and he suggested seeing me at his NHS clinic. I have found I have continued to receive a high quality of care within that department and the others I have attended while at the hospital.

I hope you find the same!

A x

Starburst

Thank you so much, very useful information.

My rheumatologist works in the NHS too and I hope I'll be able to be seen at his clinic. After you've been diagnosed, do you usually have x-rays/scans to access the extent of the arthritis? Sorry if that's a silly question but I'm new to all this. Thanks.

jaspercat

Hi, if you go to a nhs clinic for RA, they usually do blood tests and x-rays to begin with, plus an examination of all your joints, if you get a definite diagnosis, which not everybody gets, then they will suggest medications that you can take, the sooner you start the better, I have never seen anyone privately the nhs are very good, hope this helps love Jaspercatxx

chinablue

Unfortunately i had a very different experience I have been seeing a rhumatolgist for 3 years found him very unhelpful and to be honest rude too. He told me it was because i was fat that i was having all my trouble and that if i was too loose wieght i would be better. Now yes i was a bit overwieght be not grossly. when he asked me to get undressed so he could examine me he gave me such a look that made me feel like i was beneath contempted and not worthy of his attention. So i asked my sister to come with me to see if i was just being over sensitive and when we came out she asked had he always been so rude and unhelpful and i said yes. I am normally a very happy go lucky sort of person with a positive outlook and would regard myself as quite and polite so i was very upset by the way i was treated when i told my doctor she said he was the best in her oppinion and that i should proberly loose the wieght and try and see if it worked. Well obviously when someone tells you that you tend to put weight on rather than take it off as you find comfort in food. Well to cut a very long story short after 3 years of putting up with this i went to see another doctor and brook down in tears and said i was defently not going to see the consultant again, She agreed and sent me to see another consultan at the same hospital. what adifference he's realy nice and sent me for all kinds of tests which i had never been sent for before and game me steriod injections on the spot to try and help with the pain he arranged for physio and other things too unfortunatly the mri he sent me for on my neck revealed i needed two discs removing and being fused together and my neck was in quite a bad way so he cancled physio as it could cause more damage. now i am waiting for surgery. not too long i hope but they have said it will be the new year. And i have also lost 4 stone too. sorry this is so long but my advice would be you don't need to put up with someone you find offencive and rude don't be affaide to change if this happens you do have the choice these days. anyway hope this helps and take care CB

kickyloo

I've also had a bad experience with NHS. I was told I'd have to wait 2 months to see a consultant initially and I was in so much pain I went private instead (not insured so were funding it myself). After a while the costs were getting too much, especially when they needed to do an MRI scan which would cost £1000. So consultant suggested I transfer to NHS, which I tried to. Referral made, got an appointment in August and then every month they cancelled it and post-poned it for a month later. Come November and yet another phone call that they have to cancel and will see me next month instead. I gave up with NHS, would have never seen anyone at this rate. Have gone back to private and now started on DMARDs. I feel very lucky that my OH has good job so have been able to find money for private, but feel so sad when I think of all the other people in my area that are going through same situation.

I know that it is because they are having staffing probs in my PCT area but that doesn't really help when you desperately need help.

My advice, if you can afford/ get private, then go for it.

annie_mial

I've never been able to fault my Rheumy clinic or the Rheumatologist. I've always been well treated, given plenty of time, and she explains and discusses everything with me.

They are brilliant!

Annie

dorcas

I've always had excellent care and treatment at my nhs hosp rheummy ':D'.
What have you to lose by trying?':roll:' Iris x

Starburst

Thank you for all the helpful replies.
I'm fully covered privately for everything, so I wasn't sure if it was in my benefit to transfer to NHS, especially because I really like my current rheumatologist. I know you can 'choose and book' on the NHS and I hope I can with this because I'd want to see him in his clinic. He's in my area but I'm not sure it's the one I'd get referred to.

trisher

My Clinic is excellant too. I have no complaints.

When she saw my hands she sent me for x rays and blood tests.
At first she said have them done and come back afterwards.

She looked at her watch, the added it was a bit late in the day, have them done and come back on the Thursday.

That was 2 days later. It has been good like this til this day.

trisherxx

joyful164

I am very lucky with my Rheumatologist. He is the perfect gentleman.I love the way he is always followed around by several students, most of the time. He spent an hour with me for my last appointment, he was so thorough and, however busy he is, he always has time to fit you in somehow.

He has always told me to ring him any time I am having a bad time.

I am very lucky

joy

jackie1955

Hi,

I was referred to NHS Rheumatologist by my GP. I had no qualms about going to this hospital in Stoke on Trent because it is regarded as one of the best in the country and has an excellent reputation.

In any case, I could not have afforded to 'go private' :!:

I have found the whole experience excellent during the nearly twelve months I have been attending, and all the Staff have been extremely friendly, courteous, dedicated and conscientious

I hope you experience the same.

Jackie x

p.s. Well done Haywood :!:

Starburst

I've been lucky, I've had private cover on my dad's work policy. However, he's changing policies on 1st Jan and I will now be not covered for arthritis.
I'm a bit worried about not being referred NHS quickly enough and having a gap with no treatment, especially because I'm meant to start hydroxychloroquine soon. I still have lots of questions and I'm very confused but I have no rheumy to talk to. :?

elnafinn

Hi Princess

I believe it all depends where you are on the map as to whether you get good treatment, do not have long waiting times for an appointment, see the consultant you are supposed to see and don't have continual cancellations of your appointment.

I am lucky enough to be able to go private through my hubby's work so far and even then I have to wait a good number of weeks to see a consultant. Where I am they appear to be really busy it would seem and they cover both nhs and private. As I have had to wait so long for some appointments I dread to think how long nhs patients may have to wait.

Luv
Elna x

scattered

I saw my second RD privately, and then in his NHS clinic. He wrote all recommendations for meds to my GP, so I've always got my meds on the NHS. The change over was seamless - I was given the hospital advice line and he made the referral himself. As your consultant already has an NHS clinic he should be able to refer you to it.