Which is the best hospital in the West Midlands? Urgent!

[Wooodsie]

I live close to Birmingham. I am "supposed" to be being treated in Russels Hall Hospital, Dudley. I was diagnosed last September with angina and have had a few tests. I'm on the basic drugs, beta blockers, low dose aspirin and statins. I am constantly tired and strugle at work (desk job thankfully).

On 9th January I received a letter saying I need a coronary angiogram with a view of re-perfusion (stent I guess). And nothing since.

Does anyone know of a better hospital in the West Midlands please.

[stevejb1810]

Can I ask, whats wrong with Russels Hall?

[Wooodsie in reply to stevejb1810]

Considering I was referred to them in September last year, first appointment was in October, and STILL no treatment. That's 4 1/2 months. I think that is a long time to carry a potential time bomb

[stevejb1810 in reply to Wooodsie]

Unfortunately, that is not atypical. It’s just the way of things at most hospitals. Try getting hold of the cardiologists secretary and calling them to see if you hurry things along. Changing hospital is absolutely no guarantee that you will be seen any quicker and could actually be slower as you will not be on their list (unless of course you go outside the NHS).

[Wooodsie in reply to stevejb1810]

Thanks

[Hatchjd]

I am in Scotland and can only use the designated NHS heart hospital in my council area unless there is a specific need or reason to go elsewhere.

Here speciality heart services are only available in certain hospitals so the option to go elsewhere is limited.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hatchjd]

I'm in Scotland as well (retired home from the USA in late 2010). So far my care from the trust I live in has been exemplary including them leaving open the option to send me down to Glasgow to see the pericardial specialist there (I have multiple heart conditions including recurrent pericarditis and pericardial effusion that stubbornly refuses to 'drain' but is 'minimal' to the point of precluding pericardiocentesis). I knew about Glasgow but also knew better than to bring it up myself - the attitude in my trust area is if we independently ask to be referred away, the trust takes it as an insult, and it's an automatic no.

It is done differently 'down south', I think, as it's my understanding people can ask to be referred all over. As you say, up here we have to use what is in our trust area - and from what I can tell, asking to be referred to a different trust is a absolute non-starter if the medic isn't the one requesting the referral.

[Hatchjd in reply to Sunnie2day]

Sunnie I am originally from the North East too ..Elgin.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hatchjd]

My family is Caithness, my husband is from...Elgin! We now live between Dundee and Aberdeen but make the annual treks to lay flowers and visit what family are still living at the old home places.

[Wooodsie in reply to Sunnie2day]

Yes, we can go anywhere in England if we are prepared to travel.

[Morleyone]

Like you Iam waiting to be diagnosed had most test and now waiting to see cardiologist i live in South Yorkshire so under barnsly area and I've been at this since July last yr my last test was last week which was a stress test when I was told one of my arteries as narrowed so waiting now for an appointment seems to be a waiting game this cardiology.

[Wooodsie in reply to Morleyone]

They don't seem to take it seriously, or there aren't enough rewards for doing the boring stuff, like saving lives 🤷‍♂️

[Manhattan1]

I saw my Cardiologist on 6 Jan this year when he informed me he was going to refer me for angiogram.. unfortunately the referral was mislaid by admin staff and Golden Jubilee didn’t receive it till 21 Jan.. now 18 week waiting list unless i’m lucky enough to benefit from someone else cancelling their appointment

[Hatchjd in reply to Manhattan1]

My husband also had an 18 week wait for angio at the Jubilee so this appears to be the normal wait for non emergencies. He decided to go privately.

I presented at A&E with jaw discomfort and was seen immediately, stress test, angio and stents followed in a couple of days.

It is good to know the fast track option is there if needed.

[Wooodsie in reply to Hatchjd]

Isn't it sad that the NHS is o poor at what it does.

[Malaga88 in reply to Wooodsie]

Dedicated staff really good

[Manhattan1 in reply to Hatchjd]

i’m ok with waiting time.. advised by Cardiologist and A&E staff that if i experience any pain not relieved after 2 doses of gtn then call 999 straight away.. and paramedics have also said not to feel guilty calling 999

[Hatchjd]

Woodsie I worked as a nurse in the USA for many years and would take the NHS system over the private pay healthcare any day. It isn’t perfect but not having to pay thousands of £££ for care and medications is priceless.

[Malaga88]

Hi, New Cross hospital,Wolverhampton Rd.Wolverhampton

Top People.

Oct 2016 heart Attack then Cardiac Arrest,3 stents fitted,later on ICD Fitted !Great staff n Docs.Hope that helps you Good Luck.

[Wooodsie in reply to Malaga88]

Thanks Malaga88, I will give New Cross a call, I forgot about them, but I have heard they are pretty good. Thank you, it is a relief.

[Hidden in reply to Malaga88]

I second that, New cross in wolves is superb, cardiac wise. However, QE in brum is a different level.

[GeorgeAlexander in reply to Malaga88]

New Cross are amazing, my husband had his AVR and Aortic Root replacement there, although he was an emergency case. Staff are amazing! Especially Mr Nasir 😄 xxx

[Prada47]

Wooodsie

16 to 18 weeks is pretty normal for non urgent treatment. and it looks like only 5 weeks since you were told an Angiogram is needed. If you haven't deteriorated since, you just join the Q.

Most people seeing a Cardiologist are first put on Medication which is titrated up to maximum dose long before intervention.

Regards

If we all thought it would be quicker some place else we would all be running around the country looking. If you are on a list with a Hospital I would stay on it if you switch you just start again !!!

[Wooodsie in reply to Prada47]

Thanks Prada

[achingarm]

Hi I went to my local hospital on Friday 22/11/19 with slight chest pains, kept in and then Monday 25/11/19 I had my angiogram. I was then referred to another local hospital for an echocardiogram, and then sent to Royal Stoke hospital 5 days later, for a cardiac stent. I cannot believe the speed how I was looked after. Royal Stoke is a fantastic hospital, thoroughly recommend this hospital. Good luck.

[Gowers]

QE Birmingham - known as a centre of excellence. In my experience the waiting times are short compared to other hosp in the area. Every stage of heart care is discussed in depth. Follow up letters/tests etc after attending the cardio clinicss arrive in less than a week! BP/weight/ecg done at the clinic before seeing cardiologist. Take a look at their website & there is a list of cardiologists who work there.

+ take a look at the "Birmingham heart rhythm group" (Edgbaston) although private most of the cardioligists also work in nhs - again you can click on their particular speciality.

[Wooodsie in reply to Gowers]

Thanks Gowers. I only just read this.

[jamin100]

Had my stent at new cross but as a private patient. Dr and nursing staff were excellent

Had all the tests done at the West Midlands hospital, CT angiogram and Echocardiogram.

Then stent at new cross, Wolverhampton.

From first seeing a doctor complaining with symptoms to then having the tests and stent op was 2 weeks.

I’m lucky that my work provide bupa cover for me and my family, but it is wrong. The total cost for my consultants, tests and operation was around £3500 (which was fully covered)

The NHS should move faster and private health care shouldn’t be needed

[Wooodsie in reply to jamin100]

Here here. I used to have private insurance at work, but not any more sadly. I might invest the £3,5k, I thought it would be more than that.

Thanks Jamin100

[Saffron20]

Hi there. I was admitted a while back to my local hospital in Hereford but the cardiologist I saw insisted I go to the QE in Birmingham for angiogram. I couldn’t fault them for their treatment. If you live close it might be an option for you?

[Wooodsie in reply to Saffron20]

Thank you Saffron, a few people have said the QE, I think I will give them a call.

[Holywellbay]

I had a aortic valve open heart surgery in April 2017 at the Q.E. Birmingham

Couldn’t fault them excellent care.

[Chrissiemids]

Im waiting to go into New Cross, which is dupposed to be top notch.