Referral to RACPC come through, what to expect?

[Bex-88]

Hi guys,

My other thread got locked (not sure why?) so I’m posting this instead.

I received my referral to the RACPC a couple of days ago and it’s a telephone only consultation. I assumed I was going to be brought in to be assessed. I’m a bit concerned that a telephone consultation won’t be sufficient to find out what’s going on. I was given the impression by the doctor at A&E that I needed more tests and that’s why she referred me. She specifically mentioned I need an echocardiogram but I’ve heard nothing about this since. I assumed I’d be having this done when I got my appointment with the RACPC but evidently not as it’s a telephone consultation only

I’ve phoned the hospital to get more details and all they said was its scheduled as a 20 minute appointment but it “usually doesn’t take that long” and that the consultant will just ask about my symptoms.

Needless to say, I’m just feeling a bit unconfident at having a potential heart condition assessed via the phone in less than 20 minutes when I’ve been told I need further tests.

So yeah, not feeling too reassured. Has anyone else had a telephone consultation from the RACPC? How did it go? Did you feel it was enough to address your symptoms and concerns?

Thanks in advance

[Healthyheart1]

Morning, i had my appointment pre covid so sorry haven't had the telephone experience but I found that it starts the ball rolling with the tests. Do hope someone comes along soon that can help, keep strong and always know you can use the forum. X Sheena x

[Hidden]

Dear Bex-88

So sorry to hear of your worries over your upcoming appointment.

I am really sorry because I don’t know what RACPC is and I presume that its a hospital judging by the rest of your post.

The only suggestions I can give you is to have a pad and pen at hand with all the questions that you have written down, This sounds simple but believe me it works.

This sounds like its the first stage to more investigations, the cardiologist team will want to know how you are feeling, how long you have been feeling ill, what { if anything } triggers it, etc etc.

Good luck with it all

You are in my thoughts

[Nettekin in reply to Hidden]

Rapid access chest pain clinic I believe?

[Hidden in reply to Nettekin]

Oh another one to remember !

[Bex-88 in reply to Nettekin]

Yes, apologies I assumed it was a known acronym.

[Bex-88 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Apologies for the acronym, as someone else mentioned it’s the rapid access chest pain clinic.

First stage investigations sounds about right and that’s more reassuring because it suggests further tests if necessary. It was presented to me at A&E as if my referral was at a deeper stage than it appears to be, if that makes sense, so I was expecting to be brought in to do a load of tests. I didn’t realise I’d have an initial consultation first, I was under the impression the tests at A&E WERE the initial consultation if you like and that the refer all to the chest pain clinic was for immediate follow up exams.

I’m just scared of having something missed so when I saw it was a telephone appointment I panicked a bit but what you said makes sense so I feel a bit more reassured now that I’m not just going to be brushed off. My mums had bad experiences with telephone consultations which resulted in serious health problems for her after things were missed so it worried me.

[Hidden in reply to Bex-88]

Dear Bex-88

now you have told us a bit more of your story and Mums I can fully understand your worries.

Fight for your answers, you have all of us in your corner to help.

take care

[Hidden]

Hello

Quite a bit now is been done over the phone but what I would imagine they will do is ask you questions or you tell them how you are feeling and on that appointment they will decide what to do next like make appointments for any further tests etc

On a positive they must not think it is something that needs addressing asp or they would have you straight in so try and keep hold of that thought

Like others have said get prepared , get all your questions and how you are feeling written down and even though they say 20 minutes when I am talking to my Consultant it always goes over that time if needed and if they try to cut you of before you have finished tell them and tell them you still have more concerns they have not listened to

Of course you will know if things get worse to go back to the Hospital or call 111

Good luck with the appointment and let us know how you get on x