NHS Invite

[mandm65]

Hi Guys hope everyone is healthy and looking forward to the long weekend while sun is shining.

As the title suggested, I got an invite from my local hospital for a 20 minutes talk to group of people. They would like to hear my experience with NHS service as well as my exercise regime, pre and post diagnosis.

I am comfortable to share my experiences to help others, in fact I would also share how I dealt with it. Naturally I would also discuss the shortcomings I experienced and what NHS could do to improve the process.

I am just reaching out to the wider community to find out if anyone out here has done something similar and if yes how did it go? Secondly, I would also like to know, considering your experience (pre and post) with NHS service, if there was one thing that you would like to see improved, what could it be?

Many thanks in advance for your input.

[Zena166]

Hi. I spoke to a group of clinical researchers earlier this year. It went well I think they appreciate that you give up the time to share your experience with them. Gosh the second question is a difficult one! For me I think the key is that as a patient I am an equal partner in my care. So a reminder really that ‘no decision about me without me’. I expect information explanation discussion and negotiation in my care. Hope this helps. Happy to talk about what I did if you would like further information please feel free to message me. Best wishes. Zena

[mandm65 in reply to Zena166]

Thanks Zena, it sounds great, i will message you to seek further help.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Hi Mandma.

They could hugely improve sharing notes/test results across hospitals. Expensive tests sometimes have rot be repeated. I carry my own up-to-date notes, now, with summaries, on my phone. Particularly useful for first hour in A and E. But we can’t include everything.

I hate it when one health professional rubbishes another ones opinion!

I like it when they include you in decisions.

I’m glad they’re asking you!

I’d be interested to hear afterwards. how it went,

[alheart in reply to Kristin1812]

Hi,

I had an AVR and pre-emtive double by-pass in Oct 2015.

The by-pass part was harvested from my left arm (am right handed).

At the same time a friend, down South - London (I live in Scotland) had same procedure. The difference was his by-pass part was harvested from his leg! My recover had me receiving ten weeks physio six weeks after my discharge, in the summer of 2016 he was still to receive his! (too late)

I can use my arm no problem he walks with a marked limp that is clearly post op!

With regards to sharing notes/tests etc. the best insight and advice I received was to get a medi tag as I am on Warfarin.

I wear the tag all the time and in the case of emergency it aids the medics to help quicker.

I have had the misfortune of having to attend A & E a couple of times and it speeds things up by showing my tag which has both my INR registration number and my CHI ref number.

I know that my CHI number can allow access to my notes anywhere in the world with the correct (and simple) connections.

Worth getting for peace of mind.

Also feel that with so much money in research, how much of it gets repeated at the same time?

Also if research is regarded as front end of Heart prevention, then how much money and attention is given to the hospital operations side to "keep abreast" of developments?

Hope this helps

A

[clarehealsworldwide in reply to alheart]

What is an INR ref. number & a CHI number?

Clare

[alheart in reply to clarehealsworldwide]

Hi,

INR

The international normalized ratio (INR) is a standardized number that's figured out in the lab. If you take blood thinners, also called anti-clotting medicines or anticoagulants, it's especially important to check your INR. The INR is figured out using the results of the prothrombin time (PT) test.

CHI

The Community Health Index is a register of all patients.

CHI Index contains details of all Scottish residents and exists to ensure that patients can be correctly identified, and that relevant information pertaining to a patients health is available to providers of care.

The CHI number is a unique is a 10-character numeric identifier, allocated to each patient on first registration with the system.

The CHI number should always be used to identify a patient. However, Health record identifiers, such as hospital numbers in Patient Administration Systems (PAS), may be used locally, in conjunction with the CHI number or in the absence of the CHI number, to track patients and their records.

Although there may be no number when a patient presents for treatment, there must be an allocation at some point in the episode of care as CHI is mandatory on all clinical communications.

Non-Scottish patients and other temporary residents can have a CHI number allocated if required.

If illness happens abroad then any registered hospital can request either direct access or request electronic note access

Everyone registered with a Scottish GP practice has their own unique Community Health Index (CHI) number.

But CHI is more than just a number.

It helps make sure information about your healthcare is not mixed up with someone else’s.

CHI also helps NHS staff access the information they need to provide you with the best possible care.

The NHS in Scotland has been using CHI numbers for 30 years, so they’re nothing new.

What is new is that they now making better use of CHI numbers by using them whenever possible.

So you might now notice your number on your medical records or in correspondence sent to you from the NHS.

You don’t need to memorise your CHI number. (I have mine engraved on my medi tag)

By using the number, NHS staff provide a more joined-up service between all of our different departments.

Your CHI number

Reduces the need to ask you the same questions again and again

Helps to ensure that your medical information moves smoothly between different NHS departments

Helps staff make more informed decisions about your healthcare

Can help NHS staff identify you correctly in an emergency situation.

Hope this helps

Thanks

A

[mandm65 in reply to alheart]

Thanks for the detailed response and the comparison, much apprecaited, points raised noted and taken on board.

[clarehealsworldwide in reply to alheart]

Thanks for the info allheart. Clare

[mandm65 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thanks for your input Kristin, do you use some sort of app to keep your summaries on the phone or just a word document?

For sure i would be happy to share the notes afterwards.

[alheart in reply to mandm65]

You can also get mem cards with your records on them and carry them in a tag or bracelet

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to mandm65]

My husband does it, as a PDF.

[alheart]

Hi,

I had an AVR and pre-emtive double by-pass in Oct 2015.

The by-pass part was harvested from my left arm (am right handed).

At the same time a friend, down South - London (I live in Scotland) had same procedure. The difference was his by-pass part was harvested from his leg! My recover had me receiving ten weeks physio six weeks after my discharge, in the summer of 2016 he was still to receive his! (too late)

I can use my arm no problem he walks with a marked limp that is clearly post op!

With regards to sharing notes/tests etc. the best insight and advice I received was to get a medi tag as I am on Warfarin.

I wear the tag all the time and in the case of emergency it aids the medics to help quicker.

I have had the misfortune of having to attend A & E a couple of times and it speeds things up by showing my tag which has both my INR registration number and my CHI ref number.

I know that my CHI number can allow access to my notes anywhere in the world with the correct (and simple) connections.

Worth getting for peace of mind.

Also feel that with so much money in research, how much of it gets repeated at the same time?

Also if research is regarded as front end of Heart prevention, then how much money and attention is given to the hospital operations side to "keep abreast" of developments?

Hope this helps

A

[DAFFODILLS]

Hi I think that a folder containing a general discharge pack would be great , all the things to expect re appointments rehab , important telephone numbers , and side effects when to worry and when not to ! and finally a link to this site .

[mandm65]

thanks for your input, yeah i agree link to this site is a must

[wiltsgirl]

Hi mandm65, the only thing I would say, and I had a great experience with the NHS, is because I went into hospital for an elective angiogram and was not allowed home as I had to have a triple bypass at a different hospital, I had no idea things such as what you needed to bring with you, what would happen prior to the op and after. Such as what ICU would be like. I guess I was lucky as I wasn't allowed home so had to have the operation and held up the bed, but those that were given a date for their op I think would have had more preparation. Good luck,

[mandm65 in reply to wiltsgirl]

Thanks for your input, glad to know that your exprience was great, guess that exactly what we all want.

Even in emergency i think NHS ought to have complete exit process for us, i would not like to accept that as an excuse.

[alheart]

Glad to be of help

Been a real learning curve

I got all my info in a folder inclufimg directions to this site and chest heart and stroke

I just assumed that was NHS practice

It is so daunting and nerve wrecking going back into the real world after

If they can give out give out guidance to new parents etc then surely the two major Heart charities could ensure the same for heart patients

[mandm65 in reply to alheart]

Thanks for your input, i guess it goes to show what is possible.

Could not agree more its nerve wrecking going back into the real world, but we are the lucky ones.

TC