Does anybody have experience of seeing a rheumatologist privately? My current consultant is leaving her post & going to another hospital but my health authority has refused me funding to transfer with her. I know she has a private clinic at the local Spire Health Hospital, it’s not necessary the appointment that I’m worried about but what’s the protocol with prescriptions? I’m concerned if I opt to see my rheumy privately (can’t really afford it!!) I could have problems getting my meds from my GP, could they stop issuing my prescriptions?
Any advice would be welcome, Kxxx
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tweetyburd
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Hi Tweety guessing your in Wales...if your not allowed to go out of your local health board (not scotland which is also problematic) & rheumy is based at spire?
Have you been following Wendy39 & the difficulties here in the west?
or been in contact with your local lupus group (which may have members with local knowledge)?
As it stands I have not been refused, but not offered some meds that have been recommended to me by specialist lupus, sjogrens doctors (I seen privately) by my local rheumy, I believe Wendy gp supports here, where my gp prefers the rheumy to be involved locally in prescriptions.
I have with many others patients in our group, through the motivation & determination of Wendy getting meetings to discuss nhs treatment in Wales & our NHS, we were able to change rheumy, who is being supportive of specialist recommendations as they follow the national protocols for treating lupus & Sjogrens....ie continue or prescribe recommended meds. Sadly, we cannot see just any rheumy, it has to be in our nhs area & that was a battle. It maybe something you need to discuss with your rheumy who is leaving & GP...
I continue to get blood check from local surgery & take these with me to my appt. & summary of what's my issues are, current meds etc.
Mind you, I think my new rheumy has decided I don't need to see her in 6 month follow-up, as discussed & it was the end of last year I saw a specialist in Sjogrens. Seems I been dropped from dermy list - he wasn't even a specialist & didn't understand lupus.
So kinda on my own with my diseases these days & getting on day to day 😰 (violin playing in the background 🎶 for me 😏& keeping my sense of humour at it all).
Your question is just what Wendy is campaigning for in Wales... Seeing chosen specialist & getting support when refused...
For years now some parents have been playing hard and fast with the postcode rules to get their children into preferred schools. Maybe the same games are required with GPS and hospital trusts.
There has been many a discussions between our group members about the need of either moving or having a address in England as their health is so bad. These specialists are more then happy to add them to their NHS practice to help them knowing that they can & how frustrating it is that they can't unless we travel to see them privately...
So your thoughts are true & some folks here have had to move to get appropriate medical help including a senior nhs person whose husband had cancer & moved from here to England to get the help he needed...
The crazy part is getting the meds/treatment could money if it avoids organ damage etc...
I saw a rheumatologist privately once. My gp was happy to do the bloods he requested and carry on prescribing. I’m back within nhs services but maybe you could ask your gp if they are able to issue prescriptions based on a private consultation.
I see most consultants privately. Typical practice is they will write to your GP with a clinical letter, and will instruct your GP with what medication to prescribe you. Thereafter, you can be given your medication on NHS prescriptions from GP as usual x
I think if a private rheumatologist writes to your GP - you can have prescriptions on the NHS. My GP also did a set of blood tests for me the week before my private appointment.
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Yesterday’s appointment at Dermatology 
Gp appointment 
Petition to end prescription charges for people with long-term conditions
Advice for appointment next week 
First RH appointment tomorrow 
