CLL

[bettogent]

Can any body tell me the best hospital or doctor to see privately in England for treatment of CLL?

[Oleboyredw-uk]

I'm not sure there is a 'best' per se, either NHS or private. There are a number who are excellent, this is defined by their experience/consultants in the area of CLL. What I would say is that a number of consultants operate both within the NHS and private arenas therefore I would look to a recognised hospital 'near' you that has a CLL specialist who offers private service as well.

With private medical insurance you can normally call the insurer and they will help you with a list of possibles in your area. When I started my journey I had company private medical insurance and a call to my insurer resulted in a discussion in which they gave me a number of names.

FYI, I'm treated at The Christie and very happy with them. Message me offline if you would like the name of my consultant.

rob

[bettogent in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

Thank you for replying.

[suekupa in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

Hi Rob

I am thinking of asking my GP to refer me to The Christie (currently seeing a general haemotologist at Stepping Hill) . Who is your doctor there? Would you recommend them?

[Oleboyredw-uk in reply to suekupa]

Sue,

How are things going at Stepping Hill? I dont really know the hospital. My view was that I was keen to be referred to The Christie, I'd had two friends treated there, although, to be clear they had different cancers, neither were leukemia or lymphoma.

You should check The Christie website they have a list of all their consultants. My consultant is Dr Bloor and has been for three years come July. Last time I looked I think there were five consultants in Haematology.

My opinion is that the relationship between consultant and patient is quite personal so what works for one may not for another or might work better. I Have no plan to alter any of my arrangements unless necessary.

Also check out the video Hairbear posted and the other comments in this discussion. Some excellent information.

Rob

[suekupa in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

Hi Rob

I'm going to ask my GP if i can get referred to Christie's but the Macmillan nurse I talked to this week seems to think that may only happen when I need treatment. A friend who's a haematology nurse in Liverpool has also recommended Dr Bloor so it's great to hear that you also suggest him.

thanks

Sue

[jangreen]

Hi I think its more important to see a specialist rather than a private Dr. I just asked to be referred to a specialist by my local hospital ( Whipps Cross) and they referred me to Barts where I get to see a Cll specialist. All within the NHS. Good Luck

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin]

In this recent Q&A video from the Cambridge CLLSA patient/carer meeting Dr Follows briefly explains the UK NHS system and gaining access via referral to a consultant with special interest in CLL,

That Specialist knowledge is most often centered at university hospitals with oversight for the health trust region.

The NHS multidisciplinary team caring for you should have representation of a consultant with a special interest in CLL and your haematologist will refer you upon request.

Many consultants with a special interest in CLL work both within the NHS and private practice together. You will find the majority of consultants with a special interest in CLL are based in University hospitals.

youtube.com/watch?v=jAsI75b...(Not working as expected?)

Where in The UK are you?

[Meic]

St Barts London is a pathfinder unit for CLL and has much engagement with research and new treatments but a losuy customer service ethos and have all but abandoned timekeeping as a skill!

[lartington]

The best??????? nobody could answer that one......... but there is a list of Cll specialists who seem to be based at university teaching hospitals in the u.k. My husband chose to see Prof Peter Hillemn at the Bexley Wing , St.James, Leeds, for several years as a private patient, no treatment w and w. Prof Hillmen and his team seem to be on top of the game as far as new drug trials are concerned. If you wanted to see Prof H. privately you could see him there or at the Nuffield in Leeds, both very pleasant environments. I would suggest that anybody try and see a person who specialises in cll , and a teaching hospital is always a good starting point. I hope you find somewhere you feel comfortable with. over the years we have met many medics on the team, that gives you the feel good factor. My husband has treatment now at Sir Robert Ogden unit in Harrogate in Yorkshire, which is a real gem, the staff, the entire team and the environment are absolutely wonderful.He became ill over the weekend, a single phonecall resulted in him being given a single room, within minutes, upon our arrival he was assessed, and bloods taken, within 30 minutes of being admitted intravenous antibiotics hooked up.There are some very specialised units in our country, we moved house to be nearer better hospitals...... I hope your journey is successful for you,

very best wishes...... a carer and wife of a cll patient.

ps. You might like to google Prof Hillmen and others........ it is good to see their profile, you might be amazed at what people are doing to help CLL'ers

[speckly]

Prof Hillman is great as is the Bexley Wing under NHS and his team are wonderful. The clinic largely runs to time and the unit is like a hotel. No need for me to go private thank goodness the Bexley is really good. Also the foyer has a pianist that really de-s tresses meritorious to I appointments! Can't fault it .

[lartington]

yes, the Bexley wing can be likened to a shoppi ng centre complex, the shops being the services, mri, ct scans, exrays, Starbucks, art gallery, cafe, cash machine and on the top floor yes......... a very basic hotel, with rooms for patients and relatives, patients who are having treatment radiotherapy or whatever, can stay free of charge and relatives aroun d £25 per night. basic, clean, quiet with a glorious view of the city.