Nervous about Move

[Prada47]

Hello

We are about to move house from the North of Scotland down to Dorset ( Ferndown ) I have phoned my cardiologists secretary to remove me from the waiting list. I was awaiting a procedure called a PCI to attempt to unblock my RCA .I have had bypass surgery in 2015 which was partially successful, but unable to do any thing with the RCA

I am a little nervous about a new Cardiologist and joining another waiting list, which I believe could be either Bournemouth or Southampton. I have a diagnosis of Heart Failure ( moderate ) with an EF of 27% which isn't to bad.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has moved house from one part of the country to another, and how they found the transfer of information from one Hospital to another, like angiogram results etc. The secretary has e mailed me the last 2 letters the Cardiologist sent to my GP so I can pass them on to my new GP. I

It's just the rest I am concerned about .

Best Regards

Frank W ( aka Prada47 )

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hello Frank,

Sorry, no experience of moving and changing cardiologists/hospitals but i would have though this should be relatively straightforward as NHS records are meant to be shared between GPs and hospitals. Not sure how Scottish and English NHS services are tied and shared but if I were you I would be asking the new cardiologist if they have all the records that they need and keeping hold of the previous secretarys and your old Gps contact details just in case

[Prada47 in reply to skid112]

Cheers for that, just a little apprehensive

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to Prada47]

I think I would be the same in your shoes, hopefully all goes well

[Hidden]

Hi Frank,

Done loads of moves around the country and with various changes of consultants for a variety of conditions.

Three things to advise:

1 Preparation - Get the name of the GP you are going to register with; ask at the surgery which cardiologist or cardiology department they routinely refer to; then ask your current GP to communicate directly with the practice;

2 Register on the day you move in, when we move those sorts of distance we have normally spent at least a couple of days locally - so we have all the forms ready either online or hard copy; get the first appointment within 2 weeks with your GP, (ours insist on new patient appointment first - so I opt for one as soon as I can get it and GP within two days);

3 Leave nothing to chance - often notes or letters take time to move so ask for copies and take them with you if you feel there is going to be a delay, in the last two moves all that has moved with us because we opted for digital records. Everything transferred within a week of new consultant request. The system does work.

One thing I wish I had done when it was offered was visit the nursing support at the hospital to review medication and current activity, had I done so it would have improve my understanding of how the cardiology department worked.

Waiting lists are always going to be an issue because they are a political tool for the NHS when it comes to elective surgery, so I tend to ask those questions and do the research before when meeting the cardiologist, we know what to expect.

Oh just to say, last four moves have covered almost 900 miles and three hospital trusts.

[Bionic_swimmer]

Hi Frank,

I can understand your apprehension but as a fellow Southerner and the catchment area for Southampton being so large (Wessex region) I'm aware of the Southampton unit which has a good reputation I believe. Look up the cardiologists who deal with your condition at the hospitals you may fall under as often you can see come info on them. Good luck!

[KazSumm]

Hi I live in Poole Dorset and had aortic value replacement 5 wks ago

I was in Poole for 2wks, Bournemouth for angiogram,Southampton for op

The correspondence between all 3 hospital and to my GP have been 1st class, so too reassure you that you will have no problem down here.

All 3 hospitals are 1st class, and Southampton have the best cardiologist in Europe, so you will be in safe hands. Hope all goes well.

[Prada47 in reply to KazSumm]

Thank You for your reply. I have been to Bournemouth Heart Club for a look see for Cardiac Rehab Classes and it did look very professional !! The replies to my (mild )anxiety have been good thanks a lot good people.

Prada 47 aka Frank W

Who can't believe he is 70 this week lol

[Prada47]

Well we have made the move and now have an address in Stapehill, Dorset and will register with my new GP tomorrow !!! I believe they take your BP when you register so I wonder what the Receptionist will make of 95/60 and a HR of around 49 before, I say I take Bisoprolo, Eplerenone, Furoseamide, Candesartan, Carmil XL 60mg oh and an Asprin, and I would be on Statins but they make me ill !!!! lol

Regards

Prada aka Frank W

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Prada47]

Always fun when someone new takes your blood pressure, isn't it? Enjoy!

[Prada47]

Just to update on our move.

We have settled into our bungalow and we are enjoying life down on the South Coast.

Met my new GP a young lady seems very competent. She has booked me in to see a Cardiologist at Royal Bournemouth. She also said RBH has a good/excellent Cardiology Dept ( time will tell lol )

What impressed with the GP was when she said if you need a urgent appointment and I am not here just call my secretary and tell her I said for you to ring and get a quick appointment, because you men are all the same waiting until the last minute before you phone to see a Dr !!!

Regards Prada