What a difference a new Cardiologist makes

[Maninthemirtor]

Hi guys

I asked my GP for a different Cardiologist, as I don't have very much faith in current one. Was referred and seen within 9 days.

The new one listened to my concerns, answered them all and made laugh which is what I needed.

He said he avoids invasive as much as possible and prefers other methods which produce the same results. Going for an MRI which will hopefully determine my future care plan. I can deal with what I know.

Being ignored just makes my health anxiety worse.

Needless to say, the previous Cardiologist has been trying to contact me now, after 8 weeks of trying to speak to him. That in itself creates stress. Think he is afraid of complaint. I've asked hi secretary to ask him to he write to me. Picking letter up Tuesday

Evidently he was surprised I had another Cardiologist. What are we to do, wait forever x

[BeKind28-]

Hello

We are all able to ask for a second opinion if we are not happy and it sounds like for you that you did the right thing and the results are turning out for you to be more helpful this is really good news and let us know how you get on x

[Maninthemirtor in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks, will do.

Hope you are doing well x

[BeKind28- in reply to Maninthemirtor]

x

[Yumz199725]

So happy that you have a new cardiologist one who actually listens to your concerns that's rare I have tried to ask for another one but it's impossible as I am under a specialist for congenital heart disease they would only consider it if my health improves and I don't see that happening any time soon x anway happy you have a good care plan set in place and feel assured and happy 😁😊x

[Maninthemirtor in reply to Yumz199725]

Hi

Sorry to hear this. Nothing worse when you cant change. I know its your legal right to ask for a different one, unfortunately they can refuse for valid reasons. Doesn't help patients who are anxious and worried does it.

I hope your health improves and you can move. With the right medical staff you feel safer.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Maninthemirtor]

Thank you so much me too. I would like somewhere closer instead of having to go to London all the time! But I found out they can only transfer me to Cambridge or basildon hospital which is even further away 💔😐.

[Maninthemirtor in reply to Yumz199725]

Keep on pushing the issue. I found out two weeks ago, after going to the hospital for the last 7 months, when I asked my GP for a different Cardiologist, that there is community clinic a stones throw from my house where Cardiologists from Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital do a Friday clinic. I went there, so much better.

Ask them is there a community clinic nearer who do the same thing. Keep us informed.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Maninthemirtor]

I'm under a specialist in London and if I want to change it has to be another specialist hospital which Colchester dosent have x

[Lowerfield_no_more]

The NHS and its staff in general do a good job, sometimes under difficult circumstances, but are not beyond reproach. If you believe you have a justifiable reason to complain about the performance of the first cardiologist my suggestion is you should do so. If we don't complain (when justified) nobody gets to know that something is not right and then it follows that nothing will be done to take steps to make things better.

[Maninthemirtor in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you

Yes complaint was sent two weeks ago. I think that is why first Consultant has tried to contact me last week. He has failed from the get go, various errors, which affect a lot of things in my life. Appreciating how busy they are I've let them go over my head until now. The fact that he hasn't even reviewed my test results from 14th July, on top of the errors is unnaceptable.

I've asked his Secretary when she called me on Friday for him to put any comments in writing. Picking letter up tomorrow. Interested to see content.

Hope you are well yourself.

[Tigger_2 in reply to Maninthemirtor]

Consultants can and do get it wrong or don't treat patients with respect.In cardiology, there are specialities along the lines of plumbers and electricians.

If you get the wrong one, it can delay treatment and put you at risk.

I've certainly had the delays and a relative was badly let down by one who got it completely wrong when a pacemaker was needed.

You need to be fairly sure of your concerns before going to full complaint but at the end of the day, it's your health and someone has to convincingly address patients worries however trivial they might seem.

[Bingo88]

So pleased you have got a decent doctor to treat you. Take care. Brian

[LaceyLady]

Very good👍🏻 I’ve been thingy of a change of consultant. I go privately and basically get no routine checks from him or GP and fed up of this. Been put on Dronedarone, which I hate due to it being a black box medication that requires regular bloods for liver. So definitely going to contact GP.

[BabsJ]

So pleased you have found a cardiologist who listens to you. I had one who only said yes to everything and didn't ask questions. Got transferred to another one who didn't examine me, told me to go on the highest dose of verapamil from the lowest and if that didn't work see someone else about an ablation. When I asked him questions about problems with my heart when I was taking steroids he told me I'm not a Doctor and didn't want to see me anymore. I've seen a cardiologist all my life I was born with a hole in the heart and and a heart murmur. Ivexseenca cardiologist regularly all my life and I've had AF since 2012 so now I'm 70 I don't matter anymore. So pleased you have found a cardiologist who listens to your questions that's brilliant. Hope I find one soon

[AnxiousGuy23]

Glad you have found a Cardiologist who you are happy with so far. At the end of the day, you can just tell your old one that you didn't feel reassured by their care and attitude and that you have sought an alternative. As a professional they should take that on the chin and thats that.