Diagnosed with AF, MVR, Ectopic beats and Bigemany last year after seeing private cardiologist and NHS EP. Seen NHS cardiologist once and been told I have been discharged to the :care: of my GP. ! Who has told me I no longer have AF ? Just to stay on all the meds. Verapamil Edoxaban etc. should I be concerned as I will no longer get any heart related checks apart from hopefully 6 monthly blood test.
I think they are trying to reduce cardio waiting lists and I am 77 although very active before the A F. started. Any thoughts people ?
That sounds fairly standard to me. If you've been discharged, especially with a diagnosis that says you no longer have the original complaint, then that's the hospital/cardiologist confirming that their job is over. From that point you're back in the care of your GP.
If there's any change in your condition then your GP may refer you to a cardiologist or specialist hospital unit. But that's a decision for your GP, not for you. If you haven't actually been discharged then of course things are different, but the key point is that the route to a cardiologist is always via the filter of a GP or A&E doctor. Makes sense really, if it were otherwise these highly trained people would be totally overwhelmed!
You mention six monthly checks, I'm not familiar with the care arrangements for AF, but for heart attacks/stents/bypass patients the NICE recommended model is an annual check up with your GP or specialist practise nurse, who will conduct an ECG, blood pressure, weight, blood tests, and have a life style discussion.
Reading your post it seems to me that you may have some reservations in respect of the level of care your GP can offer. If this is the case, maybe you could arrange to speak to your GP about this and see what their intentions are for your on-going care. I'm afraid that due to the pressure on the system, we have to be pro-active with regards to our own health.
I have left answering your reply as I am sorry but I found it very patronising, I was just asking if this was common practice. You assume I do not take responsibility of my health care. As a retired registered nurse in the NHS for 25 years I am well aware of the problems . Until the last few years I was hill walking ,Munro climbing ,cycling and trecked Everest base camp . I am sad that now when I need help advice and care I am unable to access it and yes I have no faith in my GP. Might as well have a call centre for what it’s worth ,such a shame I worked all those long and often unpaid hours in my career
Apologies for not expressing myself clearly enough. I made no assumptions in relation to your responsibility to look after yourself. What I meant was that we should all be made aware of what level of aftercare we should be receiving and follow that up if it is not forthcoming. Unfortunately this is how it can be nowadays.
After many years of excellent service, I now find that I have issues with my GP practice. It has got to the stage where I now have to remind them about my annual blood test. The last time that I saw a GP was a quick in and out when I was cleared to drive, 3 months after my bypass operation. That was almost 4 years ago. I have never had any tests of any kind sInce then. I do my own blood pressure readings and send them in, but now they rarely make my medical records. An offhand comment appeared on my latest blood test record from one GP in the practice which I queried by letter as I can never get to speak with anyone other than the receptionist. The reply came from another GP in the practice by way of a phone call from one of the administration staff who read out a prepared note. Neither GP has ever met me. I used to be able to see one particular GP with whom I had a relationship, but the practice now operates a different system. As you say, maybe a call centre would be as effective a point of contact.
I feel for you. I've been suffering from AF for 18 months, and had to get a diagnosis from a Private Cardiologist at a cost of over £1000, which I could ill afford. Since then, I haven't seen anyone and am still suffering 140bpm for around 12 hours every other day. I've asked
for a referral to a London Hospital, had a letter yesterday - I'm down for a 'phone call. Useless, I want to actually see someone. I'm 71, and until a few years ago, I didn't buy into the view that elderly people were being ignored. Not so sure now.
So sorry for you,I have actually given up and purchased a mobility scooter which has given me a new lease of life,hardest decision ever! This ageing lark is no fun
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