IPF Diagnosed 5-6 yrs

[fluffynan]

Does anyone with IPF live in Essex and feel a little neglected when trying to access GP and Consultant face to face appointments? I have not seen my Consultant face to face since diagnosis. I am lucky to be stable currently but have other ailments that i would appreciate being assessed. What a struggle to see GP let alone Consultant.Sue

[CarolMcl]

Wow, that's a shocking amount of time since seeing your respiratory consultant! I would contact his/her secretary on Monday to get an appointment arranged, no one with IPF should be waiting 5 or 6 years for a repeat visit. I see mine twice a year and thankfully haven't had any issues getting my appointments. I would definitely contact the secretary though, it should never happen but maybe there was a glitch and for some reason you're no longer on the list??Either way, it's a serious progressive illness that should be monitored regularly 🌹

[Hazel-mary]

Hi Sue

I m under the Brompton hospital for my IPF and had my first face to face with the consultant two weeks ago. I was diagnosed in 2022. Maybe worth trying to speak to the consultant’s secretary

Dr’s are always difficult, I usually ask for a phone consultation and then ask the dr for a face to face check up when he rings me. It’s work on many occasions

So pleased that you are remaining stable

Good luck with drs and consultant

Hazel x

[Izb1]

It's the same all over the country but that is way too long to be waiting to see somebody . I don't have IPF but was disharged by the hospital saying there was nothing more they could do for me so self referred to a different hospital. I would chase this up with your consultants secretary x

[Suzie42]

I haven't seen my IPF consultant at all, I was diagnosed in 2020 during lockdown, my local chest consultant referred me to the Brompton and they picked up looking after me via video or phone consults. Inbetween though my local consultant checks me out face to face and talks me through everything, I have asthma too. It's such a long way to travel to the Brompton that I'm happy with the video consultation. I have lung function test at my local hospital and they send on to the Brompton. I have 3 monthly blood tests done at gp surgery and they email on to the Brompton I live in Kent si perhaps access to gp and local hospital is easier than Essex.Sorry you have such a problem

[Mavary]

if you know your Consultants name you can phone the hospital and ask for Mr or Mrs Secretary. They can pass a message on for you. With IPF you should be seen at least once a year by a Consultant. If not more. It looks like you might have been overlooked.

[Alberta56]

I only know that in Mid Essex I had a very long wait to see a respiratory consultant. I think they are seriously understaffed. That doesn't mean you should have missed the care you should be getting. If all else fails, try PALS.