Should I go to a non urgent hospital appointment

[bowbelle]

I live in London and next week have an appointment at St. Bart's Severe Asthma Service - I've got Eosinophilic Asthma. I've waited 6 months for this appointment with the consultant -'or one of his team' but it has to be said, although I am chronically ill, it is non urgent. I have been staying at home for some weeks now - I'm lucky in that I work at home, and live alone, so self-isolating has been easy. If I go to Bart's it means mixing with a lot of people, unnecessarily. I've tried to get through to the hospital on the phone, and the various helplines, but, not surprisingly, I can't get through to anyone. What would you do?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

That's very frustrating and I understand your concern!

I was due to have a follow-up appt at my severe asthma service in London tomorrow (not Bart's), but my consultant called today and cancelled it due to the virus; it's been moved to June. He said they considered it was best not to get people in as the hospital is a higher risk area.

I suspect Bart's will be doing the same as I know RBH have already cancelled their outpatients. That will remove the decision but it's frustrating you can't get through to find out as they should be telling people - you don't have a direct number for the clinic?

Hope you can work out what's going on and don't have to wait too long for an appt (mine has been pushed back several months but they may well prioritise new patients over follow-ups like mine).

[bowbelle in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you Lysistrata - I think I'll make more of an effort to get through tomorrow. I would have thought it makes sense to postpone non urgent appointments. I'm actually quite nervous of catching Corona, I don't want to catch the bus or sit in a waiting room!

[Troilus in reply to bowbelle]

It might be worth ringing your consultants secretary and ask if it is possible to have a telephone appointment. I’ve always found them very helpful.

[bowbelle in reply to Troilus]

That's a very good idea, thankyou!

J

[Poobah]

I've had a text today from NHS saying that if I had an appointment it would not take place face to face due to Covid-19. Arrangements are now for telephone calls to the patient on the date of the appointment.

If Barts have your mobile phone number then I suspect you will shortly receive similar messages.

[bowbelle in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah - I just persisted and got through to the appointments centre at Barts - yes, they are changing appointments to phone calls, which suits me a lot better right now, especially as I have hurt my knee! On top of everything else. I might say, the Forum was, as usual, more help than anyone else!!! Cheers, Bowbelle.

[Poobah in reply to bowbelle]

Keep safe and well. Hope the knee gets better very soon (I hurt my knee and found physio advice on YouTube very helpful).

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to bowbelle]

Glad you got it sorted, hope the appt is useful! And hope your knee gets better.

Mine could totally have been done by phone but they decided not to, what a shame...

I feel bad for others whose appts have been cancelled but actually for historical reasons I would rather go to the dentist for root canal than resp clinic, and all consultants reduce me to jelly. I nearly jumped out of my skin when my cons rang me yesterday in case he wanted to do it by phone right then, though I appreciated him taking the time to call people himself and let them know.

[bowbelle in reply to Lysistrata]

I was at Guys but changed to Barts because of a horrible consultant, forever remembered as Mrs Nazty! It took me three days to get over my appointment with her, and I felt I couldn't possibly see her again. But that has meant waiting 6 months for this appointment, and I still don't know what the consultant (Dr Pfeffer) is like.

[lucia_m in reply to bowbelle]

Hope your telephone appointment with Dr Pfeffer goes well, Bowbelle. I’ve been referred to Barts’ severe asthma service as well - am waiting for my first appointment - so I’d be interested to hear how you get on with him!