1st appointment at QE hospital

[ktan49]

Evening everyone.

Can anyone give me an idea of what to expect on my first appointment? No other info on the letter .. All I know is that it's in the Liver Medicine Clinic? Also it's at 1700.. pretty late.. but I guess that's normal who knows lol.

[AyrshireK]

When we went to Edinburgh for the first time it was a general discussion about medical history, the situation to date and then the doctor outlined her plan of action going forward - she sent hubby to see dietician, basically took over hubbies care from local team, he had his weight, bloods and blood pressure taken there and like I say Edinburgh now mastermind hubbies care with local doctor just being kept in the loop and doing the routine stuff like scans.

We took a note book with a list of all hubbies symptoms, medical history to date, any medication and all the questions we wanted to ask and get cleared up. At Edinburgh we weren't rushed out and had plenty of time to cover everything that needed covering.

Best wishes for it ktan49, hope you finally get some answers and some plan of action for future tests and treatment.

Katie

[ktan49 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie, i'll be sure to take my notebook with symptoms etc. I feel like I have something to look forward to now.. fingers crossed I get those answers.

Thanks again for replying to me.

[Hidden in reply to ktan49]

I hope you get the answers you need, don't move until you are happy everything has been answered!! Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[ktan49 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Lynne.

[Hidden in reply to ktan49]

You are welcome

[Hidden]

Hey up Ktan

As QEHB man (!) I would say obviously follow Katie’s advice, I didn’t know what to do and wished I had seen a post like Katie’s before I went! Have learnt my lesson well since then!

When you get to the first check in desk about 2/3 of the way down the main corridor and on the left don’t bypass it! A lot if people like me used to ignore it and go straight to the clinic waiting room. They then started to get real humpy about doing this! So you check in and wait on the blue seats in that area and keep your eye fixed on the “calling” screen - no verbal announcements - and it changes without a flicker, because if you get more than two minutes to get to the actual liver clinic waiting area you are lucky. Which is difficult if, as in my case, you can barely walk. Be warned wheelchairs are EXTREMELY hard to come across when you enter QEHB. Far far worse than at Royal Derby. Of course in there if you miss your name being called by a nurse next to the check in point you miss your place in the queue! That said they are all LOVELY in there.

Also 5 PM is late. Ours was almost always 1415. 4 months. But don’t know how they work it out.

Good luck and don’t stress about it at all - you will deffo relax when you realise what good hands you are in 😁👍

Miles

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Great description to the clinic, I know it so well!

When I first went the clinic was over the bridge in the old building, I needed a few rests to get there!

Our appointments are usually in the morning they often try for 9 am, but with the traffic that would mean leaving home a the latest 6 am., always ask for later!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry David I read it as rhough it was your first appointment. But from what you say I guess you are moving from the surgical team to the medical team?

I made my transition in December. The consultant was one of the nicest and listened which unfortunately not all do. Only downer was that they took about a month to write to “my” GP.

Have fun - if it is the transition you are obviously doing well 😁👍

Miles

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I have been travelling there for 7 years now!

Its been a long story! But post transplant I am doing great!

[jules45]

Hi, I had my first appointment at Birmingham a few months ago and I was terrified, the sheer size of the place scared me. It turned out to be a meet and grèet with consultant a chat and bloods taken and weight. It will be my third appointment there on 30th and I'm not so scared as previous. Best of luck to you, it won't bè as bad as you think. Worst part for me is the journey from mid Wales, Julie xx

[Grank in reply to jules45]

I will have to drive my husband there from North Wales (near Pwllheli). Is it difficult to get to the hospital? Can I park there with a blue badge? Would be grateful for your help.

[Hidden in reply to Grank]

Hi Grank

Hope you are both OK - well as much as you can be.

If you have a Sat Nav it is easy, otherwise study a map carefully!!

Parking we eventually found one of the FREE disabled parking area in the car park (use ground floor disabled bays) next to the Heritage Building at the back of the Hospital, park in disabled then on coming out go to the barrier and tell them you are disabled. I might be wrong but I think they have a camera there and may ask you to show your blue badge (so I was told) but we never had to, they opened the barrier as soon as we spoke to them!

This car park is very very close to the Liver Assessment Centre in the old Hospital directly opposite the car park. Go in main doors in old Hospital ziz zag a very few yards till you get to corridor running across in front of you. Turn right and then after about 20 yards it is on your right 😁🤞

Also did same in big car park near the Hospital main Entrance.

Good luck!

Miles

[Grank in reply to Hidden]

Wonderful! My husband has an appointment with a consultant surgeon on Friday to discuss his options. Days are up and down, but today improved after the phonecall from the big man’s secretary. Thank you so much Miles.

[Hidden in reply to Grank]

Hey Grank

I’m there on Friday as well at 1415. 👍 Perhaps you could wear a red carnation in your lapel and then look out for this tall geek in a dark blue anorak. When you’ve seen him perhaps you could look out for me 😁👍

Miles

[Grank in reply to Hidden]

We are at 3.15. I will look out anyway. We will be the lost looking couple - me wearing red and purple!! The red hat keeps my post chemo wig in place 😊

[Hidden in reply to Grank]

I’ll keep a non-hostile beady eye out (apparently a beady eye “may be somewhat hostle”) 😁

Miles

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Check were the appointment is as the main liver clinic is usually in the main building through the main reception which card park A is much closer.

If the appointment is in the heritage building then the advice is good

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

David

I gave the advice for the main hospital liver clinic in my first post which was to ktan and in my post to Grank I gave directions for the Assessment centre. But hey between us we have covered all bases 😁👍

Milo

[jules45]

Hi, yes, blue badge is free but very congested multi story.

Use your sat nav, go in main entrancè and scan your appointment letter in one of the many machines in the foyer. Reception are very helpful giving directions. You go to a first waiting area then your name appears to move you on to second waiting area then a nurse will call to get weighed then nurse or consultant will find you. It's quite busy but you'll be ok xxx julie