Routine hospital appointments

[dedeottie]

My 6 monthly appointment with my EP is in mid april-. This usually includes an ecg to check that sotolol isnt causing problems, blood pressure and weight checks. As I feel well and AF is under control and weight and blood pressure are good and Kardia doesnt say anything untoward, I feel that I would be unwise to attend the hospital during the covid 19 outbreak . I dont want to drop off the radar though. Has anyone else cancelled their appointments?

[CDreamer]

I would ring the clinic because in our area I know many consultants are arranging telephone appointments rather than face to face appointments to avoid people coming into the hospital. Up until last week I was told to attend as normal unless I was ill but so much has changed in a week!

I need to have regular (monthly) blood tests for immune response and was rung by the GP and told that I still need to continue to come into the surgery for these. Nearly all GP appointments are now by video conferencing or telephone so I expect to see a big move toward remote consultations in the next few weeks. You can always arrange to send your Kardia weekly/monthly reports to your consult ahead of your appointment? Ongoing care is also important.

Stay well X

[sotolol in reply to CDreamer]

Great info as normal. Thank you.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

My surgery only does regular INR blood tests at this time as well. All other by telephone.

[Mary-intussuception]

I think you'll find it has been postponed.

Google your hospital's health Trust, there may be a statement on line.

Patients may receive phone calls.

It seems that generally, all routine appointments, out patients appointments etc are postponed. This is to free up hospitals & GP practices to keep areas as clear & clean as possible, for emergency & necessary urgent care only.

I'm aware that different GP practices have been dealing with the situation differently, but hospital situation (all clinics cancelled apart from cancer) is all UK .

[BobD Volunteer]

I suspect this is out of your hands if your area is like mine. Most routine appointments are either postponed or are by telephone consultation until this thing is over. It is all moving so fast that it may take a little time for you to hear so don't worry.

[doodle68]

Hi Dottie all routine appointments have been cancelled here from hospitals to GP who are taking emergency telephone appointments which are being triaged by a nurse,

If you haven't had a message from your GP to this effect (I have had a number of texts) you could try going to the webpage of your GPs surgery and your local newspaper for information. Our local paper is updated with urgent local information daily.

[Desanthony]

You may find that the hospital will want to avoid outpatients appointments and many have cancelled all elective procedures. The clinic may do a telephone consultation best to ring them. I rang the day before a hearing aid consultation - just a check after receiving new aids last Summer and they told me not to come if it wasn't urgent and they would arrange another appointment.

[dedeottie]

Thanks everyone. Really helpful as always. I would be relieved not to go.

Keep safe x