Private consultant needed

[audrey2543]

How do I find a pneumo/cardio consultant within reasonable distance of Oxford? The old generalist geriatricians seem to have disappeared.

[doodle68]

Hello Audrey is this for someone with AF.

The AF Association produce a 'find a specialist' list here...

heartrhythmspecialists.org/...

Information

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Hidden]

You can find a list of electrophysiologists (cardiologists who specialise in heart rhythm disorders) on our website heartrhythmspecialists.org I cannot say whether any of these might also generalise though.

Regards

Rachel - AF Association - Patient Services Associate

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Looking at the link to this map there are a lot of specialists not listed. May I ask how often it is updated and the process? Do the health professionals need to be proactive and contact you?

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

Hello CDreamer. Yes, unfortunately, they must contact us and request to be included in the list. It is therefore not inclusive of all specialists.

Regards - Rachel

[CDreamer]

Go to the website of the hospital's your u are prepared to travel to - they will have a list of consultants.

nhs.uk/search/?collection=n...

I would want to see an Electrophysiologist consultation for AF, no matter the age or a specialist in functional medicine.

May I ask why you want to see a geriatrician?

[audrey2543 in reply to CDreamer]

I have permanent AF but also valve weaknesses and other heart failure symptoms. I have had a pacemaker for heart block, controlling the ventricle by two leads for the past 16 years. Also moderate COPD which may be the cause of the heart problems. So I am looking for a pneumo/cardio specialist.

Extreme breathlessness and general fatigue are making activity almost impossible even just indoors so I'm seeking any help available. I have been recently written off by Oxford cardiologist and given no hope of improvement. I have not been offered an EP consultation.

Reluctant to go private but QOL so low I feel I have to explore all avenues.

[CDreamer in reply to audrey2543]

I saw a consultant in London - Dr Dhinoja who did both my ablations - and note that he runs a clinic at St Barts Heart & Chest and has a special interest in arrhythmia with other conditions. He is listed on the link above - hover over East London and you should find him.

You may very well get a referral through the NHS if you speak to your GP as you have the right to be referred to a specialist of your choice.

You may struggle outside of the major centres to find someone but hope you find the links above helpful.

1st find someone you think will help - then go to GP and ask for the referral.

You may have to wait on the NHS but I saw Dr Dhinoja privately within 2 weeks.

Hope that helps

[audrey2543 in reply to CDreamer]

Many thanks for your info. My GP is checking to see if a consultant at Hammersith would be suitable and I will certainly mention your doctor to her. Multi factor problems really need a more generalist approach than most local hospitals now provide.

I couldn't see the link you mention but will go on the Barts site and hope to find him.

[Hidden]

Research Professor Richard Schilling. Sorted my AF 3 years ago at London Bridge Hospital. A genius!