Your experience being treated at Guys and St Thomas's Hospital in London please?

[Annalouk]

Hi everyone,

I am off to the rheumatology department at Guys and St Thomas's next week. I would love to hear what you think of the department, the Hospital, the Consultants, parking arrangements etc?? I have not been before and will be travelling alone so any useful info would be appreciated. I am hoping for a lupus diagnosis. My local rheumy refused to diagnose because the only positive blood test was the ANA. I have many symptoms of SLE and Sjögren's and Hydroxychloroquine has been helping. Many thanks.

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Welcome to LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) at HealthUnlocked.

St Thomas' Hospital Lupus Unit is not only in the best in the UK, but other countries model themselves on it.

The consultant rheumatologist whose "baby" it is, is Professor Dr Graham RV Hughes who has won more international awards than any other lupus specialist. It is just a pity he goes unrecognised in the UK! Unfortunately, he was "retired" from the NHS but can be seen privately at the London Bridge Hospital where he has established a lupus centre.

Dr Hughes has trained most, if not all, lupus specialists in the UK. Currently, the Director at St Thomas is Dr David D'Cruz who is an excellent clinician. Dr Muther Khamasta has a specialist pregnancy clinic.

When I am asked for referrals, I will always recommend St Thomas' Hospital's Lupus Unit.

I am sorry to read about your rheumatologist but your story is familiar. It is important to understand that not all rheumatologists are experts in lupus. Many have never seen or treated lupus patients which is why it is essential to be seen by a specialist who sees and treats lupus patients daily in a clinic or hospital.

We also have another website called the LuPUS Message Board where you can also post questions and talk to other people. Registration is FREE and we offer free information and free online psychological support. We specialise in psychological support with our own counsellor/psychotherapist available.

By becoming a Member, you will have access to the private forums and because they are private, only Members have access and even bots and search engines are forbidden.

When you register, please use the following format for entering your date of birth: nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Please use the "-" separator and not "/".

Finally, please go to: lupus-support.org/LuPUSMB and Sign Up.

I look forward to talking with you more!

Sometimes we need to talk to people who understand and who are not family or friends.

With good wishes!

Ros

[Limerick5]

It be the best so they say but it is improssiable to get an anpioment and the worst place to speak to some one I have been going there 5 years now and only now have they managed to get my lupus under contoll with a lot of tablets but I suppose it is the the best place to go do they say parking none you are better get the tube or train I hope you get on ok speak up and ask loads of questions.