London Rhymertology hospitals

madness1985

Hello

I am being transfered ive kicked up a fuss with variouse people this week and told them i want to be transfered to london for my rhmy care as it means my heart hosp will be able to communicate better so give me all round better care

So does anyone have any recomendations? Ive been on NHS choices and best seem to be UCLH (has young adult unit), homerton or st thomas's and guys hospital

Anyone got any experience?

thanks x

valval

try trisher she that way on i think but not as young lol

madness1985

Thanks Val x

Starburst

UCLH is probably a good option because it's a teaching hospital, they tend to be very good. I am slightly outside of London, so I'm afraid I can't help much but I do know UCLH is really good in general.

gickygawky

Hi there,

I see the Rheumy's at the Royal Free Hospital near Belsize Park in North London and have had very good treatment.

I have also been told St George's Hospital in Tooting in South London has a great Rheumy department.

Good luck finding someone good

A x

jordan7j

Hi, I go to Guy's. It's ok, not fantastic. Did look into the Royal Free which has a very good reputation, but for me, its a no no, due to having to use underground and no lifts and few escalators so lots of stairs. St Thomas meant to be good too. Good luck in deciding

madness1985

Thank you everyone. I hadnt looked at the free hospital in London ill have look. I really want to get good care and a hospital that is within london so that both my teams can communicate and hopfully make me much better as im feeling bad and had it for nearly 2 years now.

x

salamander

I am at one of the big teaching London hospitals you mentioned and not overly impressed. My consultant seems to be endlessly on holiday and the rheumy nurse is surly and uninformed. Also, it's not necessarily true that you get the best treatment in London. They are under enormous pressure and you can wait months for an appointment and when you get one they are rushed. In one of my clinics I waited 3 hours to see the doctor. Several people who had come in out of town missed their trains home. Much better to be close to home in my view.

madness1985

Hi,

I am seen in London already for my Heart Condition which i moved to from west mids area. I am finding having 2 conditions delt with in different areas as letters arent sent ect so i want to move to London so that both my conditions are delt with in the same area and hopfully get better.

Would you pm me which hospital you are at please?

x

salamander

You will have exactly the same problem here unless you go to the same hospital as your heart treatment. Hospitals in London do not share notes or write to one another so I don't think it will be of any benefit to you at all to be here. I know as I am between three hospitals and have been treated at them all at various times. None of them have access to my notes or know what previous treatment I've had but it doesn't matter as it isn't ongoing and has got nothing to do with my arthritis. If you are worried about communication you could sign up to the NHS database - if you trust them not to reveal your personal details to anyone! ( I've opted out for exactly that reason.)

Rheumatology treatment is so standardized; it shares the same protocols nationwide so I can't see you getting 'better' treatment in London. They all share their research in any case. If it is a matter of personality clash - better the devil you know!

woodbon

Hi I live in Norwich, which has one big new hospital this side of the city. The only trouble is that some of the departments are at one of the old hospitals in the centre of the city. Things like physio are done at an outreach clinic near here. So, it means that I still have to go to several different places, and yes, I have gone to the wrong one once and missed my appointment!!! :oops:

As for treatment, I think a lot of things are dictated by NICE, unless you are on a medical trial. So you may get similar treatment werever you go. Although, I suppose, some doctors give the NICE guidelines a different interpritation. :shock:

Love Sue

dreamdaisy

I think we need to rid ourselves of the notion that one place can be a centre of excellence for everything. Even if you did get tip-top care for more than one condition under the one roof there is no guarantee whatsoever that the individual departments will communicate with each other. I agree that it would be ideal but, madness, I think that's the inherent problem: it is an ideal and one that the NHS cannot match. Dreamdaisy

salamander

I agree completely with you Daisy. My view is that my care is only as good as the doctor treating me. You can have excellence in one department and not another as you say. Also, lots of people don't realise that the consultant they pay for privately usually works in the NHS as well - but that is whole other conversation!

woodbon

Hi, It's true that a hospital that's fantastic at say, neuro surgery is going to be just as good at heart surgery. Also, even the best rated departments are only as good as the staff on the day. The major thing about private treatment is that you do get the consultant you are paying for, but as a medical friend once told me, registrars can be better then the consultant, as they are fresh and have trained in the latest methods.

We have to face the truth, I think that its all a matter of trust. Also, a bit of good luck helps!

Love Sue