choosing a rheumatologist

bluebell

Hi All

After a second round of blood tests with my gp he's written me a referral letter for rheumatology. But, because I live in Somerset and work in London getting to see a local one is difficult, so he suggested I see someone privately in London. So now
the question is... How do I choose one? I've looked online a little bit they seem either cheesy Americanised advertising or no information at all

Any advice ?

dreamdaisy

I thought I'd posted a reply but it hasn't appeared - I'm having one of 'those' days. :roll:

I have always been seen by NHS rheumatologists apart from once; my husband wanted me to see someone privately because he though more could be done for me so we spent around £300 to find out that no, what I was getting was the best available. He chose someone out of our area and researched them on-line, based on their NHS work. DD

bluebell

Thanks. I'm gonna try and get into guys and st Thomas I think. Not too far from my office and it looks like they have a specialist clinic for musicians (I'm just semi pro these days).

Fingers crossed

stickywicket

I'd read your post earlier but had nothing to contribute as I've no idea if there's any valuations / reviews on private consultants.

Do Guys & St Thomas's do private work then? If not, you may want to bear in mind that, generally speaking, in the NHS, the better the specialists, the longer the queue to see them. Personally, I'd consider it worth it but not everyone feels like that.

bluebell

I got the impression from my GP that I wouldn't get an NHS appointment in London because I live in Somerset? it's not that I particularly want to go private, I just need it to be in London

I emailed off my referral letter to Guys and St Thomas, and followed up today with a quick call to check they had it and ask what happens next. they told me I have an appointment letter in the post apparently. when I emailed I explained the situation and said I didn't mind whether it was an NHS appointment or private.... i'll be honest, i'm not sure now which they given me, lol. I guess i'll find out when the letter arrives

interested to hear still if anyone has been to Guys, what are they like? good/bad/indifferent?

dreamdaisy

That is hard to answer for the following reason: some people get on well with each other and some don't: one man's utter genius is another's idiot simply because their personalities don't mesh.

My rule of thumb is to show an interest in the lives of those who are 'dealing' with me, be they doctors, receptionists, the people at the checkout at a supermarket, the lovely lads cleaning my car etc. I've never been to Guy's (and never will) so I suspect you will have to take the plunge. DD

bluebell

dreamdaisy wrote:

I suspect you will have to take the plunge. DD

take a deep breath and hold my nose? I can do that

[Deleted User]

Hi bluebell
you can choose to have your NHS treatment anywhere you like in England. So you can be seen on the NHS in London if that suits you better. Even if your first appointment is private you could then ask to be followed up in future through the consultants NHS clinic. See this link from the NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/902.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=162
Confirmation on the Guy's website is here http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/rheumatology/referrals.aspx
Lastly here is a link to the Guy's team for you
http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/rheumatology/team.aspx
let us know how you get on
Best Wishes
Sharon