How can I find a good cardiologist in Lancashire

[Wilky57]

I have actually seen a doctor now. 3 weeks after my AFib episode. He was really good and has also changed my beta blockers to a third sort called Carvedilol so I’m hoping these won’t give me the side effects I’ve been having up til now. I asked him to refer me to a private cardiologist and he has given me a letter with all the relevant information about me. I have no idea how I find a private cardiologist in my area so thought I would ask you all to help me, yet again. I only want to talk things through and perhaps ask for a thyroid test as I have read about this on the forum. Thank you so so much

[BobD Volunteer]

AF Association website have a list by area. in patient information. You need an EP (electrophysiolgist) rather than cardiologist.

[Wilky57 in reply to BobD]

That’s brilliant. Thank you

[Buzby62 in reply to Wilky57]

The link  BobD mentions heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

I don’t think it finds them all though, certainly not in Wales anyway.

Best wishes

[Frances123 in reply to BobD]

Bob, who or how is this list updated please. My EP in Liverpool is not on it and he has a very good reputation (and I believe is a member on here or has had input). I also found out recently my local trust, Calderdale & Huddersfield has and EP but he isn’t on it either. Thanks Bob.

[Buzby62 in reply to Frances123]

Maybe TracyAdmin can find the answer to your question. She will see this now I’ve mentioned her.

[TracyAdmin Partner in reply to Buzby62]

Please feel free to visit the AF Association website, select the Patients tab / Find a Specialist in your Area today heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Kind regards

Tracy-Admin

[Buzby62 in reply to TracyAdmin]

Hi Tracy, that is the link we have looked at, the question is about the data behind it. None of my local cardiologists or EPs are on it and others are seeing similar in their areas.

[TracyAdmin Partner in reply to Buzby62]

Is it possible to send your enquiry to [e-mail] please?

Many thanks

TracyAdmin

[Rambler398]

Have a look at the Spire Hospital Manchester which has a fair choice of Electrophysiologists. Cost for a one off appointment £250-280. Ask for recommendations on here. Someone will inevitably have seen an EP in Manchester.

Don’t have any investigations done privately, they are absurdly expensive. They may have been done already. The key one would be the echocardiogram.

Ask the EP’s secretary to get hold of the notes from your NHS cardiology admission ahead of your appointment. The EP will ask your GP to arrange any outstanding tests and will no doubt agree to follow you up on the NHS if that is what you want.

Your GP can do your thyroid function tests. Has there been any suggestion in the past that you might have an underactive thyroid?

[Wilky57 in reply to Rambler398]

Thanks for your help. I haven’t seen anyone in a hospital except when I was admitted through A&E. I have only seen a GP. He has given me the results of my 24 hour ECG but didn’t mention an echocardiogram. Could you tell me if it’s something I should ask for, either when I see the private chap or my GP. I was only really going to see the private doctor so that I knew for sure what my GP had said was right. I haven’t been to the doctors very often so I haven’t built up a trusting relationship with any of the doctors at the practice. Thank you for being so helpful.

[Rambler398 in reply to Wilky57]

My understanding is that GPs are encouraged not to request an echocardiogram in uncomplicated AFib (see NICE guidelines).

Your electrophysiologist is likely to want one, but may be happy for you to wait for it on the NHS. You may want to ring the cardiology department at the NHS hospital where your EP works, to find out about the length of the waiting list for an echocardiogram, before seeing him.

[Wilky57 in reply to Rambler398]

Thank you so much. I’ll see what the private chap says but I’ll probably go back to the GP for an echocardiogram. I’m going to have to google it now! I hadn’t heard of it until today. Thank you again. I really appreciate it

[Mowgli44]

a friend of mine has been to see a Dr David J Fox at the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle. He’s also at the Spire in Manchester

[Fazerboy]

I’m not sure if he does private work and its not in Lancs but I’d recommend Chris Stein at Wythenshawe, top man, did my ablation about 5 years ago.

[Buzby62]

I found this list of reports helpful to find EPs and includes private hospitals towards the bottom of the list.

nicor.org.uk/hospital-and-o...

Best Wishes

[CDreamer]

Best way is to go to one of the large private insurers such as BUPA - if an EP is not on a BUPA list then they probably aren’t worth going to anyway. You don’t need a membership to search their lists - they have a specialist finder.

[Patchwork123]

Hi Wilky57,

Is it a cardiologist you want to see or an EP?

I have just had a consultation with Dr S Kumar in the Preston area £200 and I’m having an echo and a 24hr monitor next week then further consultation to discuss the results total cost around £1000.

Unfortunately due to very long waiting lists I didn’t have a choice. I had a cardioversion which didn’t last very long so back in persistent AF and my NHS follow up appointment wasn’t until September.

I do recommend Dr. Kumar he was my NHS consultant as well so fortunately he was very clued up with all my medical history.

[2learn]

Hi, depends what you want and there are lists through BMA I think, that rate consultants on performance

[momist]

My EP is Dr Chalil at Blackpool Victoria. The Spire hospital in Blackpool is just down the road from there, and the reception team are very friendly and helpful. They might be able to advise you further. Good luck.

[Ppiman]

I would say by far the best way to find a good doctor is to look on your nearest teaching hospital website for their cardiology team (you only need one one trained in electrophysiology if you particularly want an ablation).

Then search your nearest private hospital (Spire, Nuffield, etc.) for the names you find, or phone them up, and book an appointment.

If you can get your GP to do an ECG, especially a 24-hour Holter, and if you’ve had a recent echo scan, then take these with you to your appointment or you’ll find they will likely want to do them at extra cost (ECG maybe £150, echo maybe £550, ZIO ECG maybe £1000).

Steve

[Qualipop]

The main heart hospital for Lancashire is BLackpool. I don't know anything about the doctors there but I 'm sure many will do private work. They should be listed on the hospital's website along with their specialisms.

[Fishguy]

I had an ablation with Dr Derek Todd in Liverpool Heart and Chest he sees private patients at Spire Cheshire Lymm. He is very good.