Home and phone appointments?

[Love100cats]

For the first time I've had my eyes tested at home. Two very smart men came in a van with huge cases on wheels with equipment. They did all the tests I would normally have, they were on time, they helped me choose new glasses and the cost was the same as I'd pay at opticians. It took just about 1 hour. I also phoned the hospital and asked if I could have my heart review by phone rather than going to them. They sounded a bit shocked and unsure but this morning phoned at 10.15 on the dot. I check weight, b.p., heart rate, oxygen level each day and keep a diary of episodes. So I was able to give the info they needed and as I'd had a blood test they had those results too. It went very well ending with some minor adjustments to meds.

The moral of my story is that when you feel really exhausted don't cancel appointments but look at other ways of monitoring your health. My husband on two occasions ended up locked in ward with no visitors due to a virus. I don't want that!

[Hidden]

I think most appointments should be done either online or on the phone. It’s very rare that an examination is necessary anyway. 😊

[Bagrat in reply to Hidden]

I know it's a typo but quite like the idea of a psychical examination. That could be done remotely too!!😂

[Hidden in reply to Bagrat]

Opps 😂🤣😂

[Sunnie2day]

My mid-April cardiology appointment is now going to be done as an email exchange - the day before the schedule meeting I'm to email my report (symptoms increase/decrease, weight, temp and BP) and any questions. By the next day he will have replied with guidance and answers to my questions.

I think I'm going to love doing it this way! I don't do phone owing to my essential tremor having now got to where it affects my speaking voice, so email just seems so sensible to me. I suggested it, they hemmed-hawed and then emailed a yes with instruction on how to proceed (Insert happy dance emoji here).

[Love100cats in reply to Sunnie2day]

It makes so much sense! I certainly prefer emailing. I already email the heart failure nurses and they respond in like with good advice. My g.p. does phone but it's become so popular that I had to wait 10 days for a telephone conversation or 3 weeks for an appointment. I went for telephone conversation which worked well. All these alternatives conserve the little energy I have for more pleasant things.

[Supernanu]

I had appt with gp this afternoon. Rang surgery in morning and asked if it could be changed to telephone consultation. GP agreed so we discussed my progress ( 3+ weeks post ohs). She adjusted bisopropol and sent electronic prescription to pharmacy for all my meds. Booked blood tests for next week and further tel appt to discuss results.

So seems good way to proceed - less contact and less risk of infection and probably less time for gp too. Win win all round 😁

[Cat04]

My post-ablation appt with cardiologist was done by phone and so will the next check up he informs me - saving the planet of a bit of CO2.

[Qualipop]

I've had really bad problem breathing for about 7 weeks. I was due several bladder tests this week so I phoned to ask if they thought it was wise to go to eth hospital. They agreed it was a bad idea and postponed the tests as the tests themselves can cause infection and lower immunity. OurGPs have sent texts saying wherever possible, all appointments will be done by phone.