Constant engaged advice line

[Willow1414]

I’m just wondering if anybody else has or is having problems accessing the rheumatology advice line at Leeds chapel Allerton ??

I’ve tried so my times , constantly engaged ??

🦋❤️

[PMRpro]

Have you tried calling the switchboard and asking them?

[Willow1414 in reply to PMRpro]

I’ll try and find the number .

Good idea

🦋❤️

[Willow1414 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro.

Got through to switch board . She said to keep trying .

I said I cannot keep trying anymore , I’ve tried at least 50 times at different times and days , you Can’t even leave a massage for a return call .

She took my details for someone to phone me back tomorrow all been well

[PMRpro in reply to Willow1414]

Keep trying! - just to be hoped it isn't an emergency. All you wanted was for them to make sure it wasn't out of order or switched off. I often have to tell mt GP that her answering phone is still on!!!! Single handed and no staff ...

[Kevin53]

Hi Willow

We are all with you on this. Is there anyone in the Leeds area who can assist?

Best wishes

Kevin

[Willow1414 in reply to Kevin53]

Hi Kevin53

Hopefully I’ll get that call tomorrow .

🦋❤️

[Josiah150767]

Hi

I’m in Gloucestershire and I my rheumatologist gave me a number to call a helpline if I needed to speak to someone before my next app. Couldn’t get an answer. Eventually gave up .

[Apricot100]

Hi Willow, I've been desperately trying to get a response from that line for over a month.

Like you I was getting the engaged tone day after day. 4weeks ago I resorted to calling when I knew it was closed hoping it would ring out. It did so I left a message. No response. A week later I left another one - no response so a week later I left another. Still heard nothing.

In desperation i emailed one of the trial nurses as I had their details but he'd moved away. Switchboard said "keep trying".

All this was following a telephone appointment when I raised how bad my lupus was and they agreed on another infusion when I had got flu and pneumonia jabs. My three messages have all been since my jabs asking (now begging) to say I'm ready.

I'm at an absolute loss (and I work in the NHS so have every sympathy for how overworked we are but this is unnacceptable).

Xx

[Willow1414 in reply to Apricot100]

Hi Apricot100 .

Have you got a response yet . ?

Rather worrying 🦋❤️

[Apricot100 in reply to Willow1414]

Yes, i got a very terse and bad quality message on my answerphone saying they had picked up my message and it was in hand and someone would get back to me with a date for the infusion if approved. My issue however was that I wanted to talk to a rheumatologist about the risks for / against now covid is on the rise again. I fear I'll be ill if I have it and ill if I don't and have to work out the less dangerous of the two - I need expert advice!

Hope your appointment on the 10th is productive xx

[PMRpro]

So I gather! Our system at least means that I get engaged, out of office which I should have known anyway or speak directly to her. There is always the mobile no as an alternative when really stuck. You might get voicemail but she calls you back if possible. AND either she makes a note at the time of what scripts we need which she writes on the computer and they go directly to the pharmacy of our choice to be picked up or you get immediate medical advice or told when to come for f2f. I think we can still turn up to the practice but few people do - it is normally turn up and wait, available every day at some time for 2 hours doors open to official finish. We both went up for our flu jabs on Weds, someone in and 2 waiting ahead of us. All wearing masks and sitting in different corners. Our GPs are still working - even doing house calls! The nurse services are separate, blood tests are either in the hospital clinic by appointment or the village clinic if too far to get to the hospital and the nurse comes and does it at home for really poorly people. Appointments are always within 48 hours if you need one.

[Barbara17]

I keep a list of all the options at my GP’s so I can press the correct number as soon as the spiel starts.

[PMRpro]

I'm not in the UK - I live in northern Italy but our service is basically the same as NHS - free at point of treatment and not insurance based. Sorry, forgot which forum I was on, everyone on my home forum knows. But our dentists also worked normally through lockdown except for the first month when it was emergencies only. And it was just as bad here as in the UK for a time. There are a lot of excuses being thrown around in the UK. Many are unjustified ...

[Apricot100]

Hi Willow, have you had any joy from Leeds? X

[Willow1414 in reply to Apricot100]

Hi Apricot , yes I was told to ring reception .

I got a stroppy person ring me back , she said keep trying , I told her I give up .

She then looked at my notes , not really reassuring me , as I have a face to face on the 20th , due to start yet another drug , and not recovered or had further tests to see what the real damage to my stomach is . Do this appointment if it still stands will be a waste of time . She said the Rheumatologists are working on Covid .

🦋❤️

[Willow1414 in reply to Willow1414]

Predictive tx 🙃my appointment is 10th . ❤️🦋

[Apricot100 in reply to Willow1414]

It's so hard. I sympathise with them being so stretched etc, but then on the other hand there are people that still require help and treatment. To be honest, I found the appointment line this bad before Covid so not sure it's really a valid excuse.

[Willow1414 in reply to Apricot100]

Hi Apricot , before you left a message and a nurse would call you back . Now you cannot even leave a message .

This cannot be happening , hope they can get more nurses manning the phones .

🦋❤️

[Apricot100 in reply to Willow1414]

True, yes you were more likely to eventually get a response preCovid. They do need support. It wasn't always nurses calling back, sometimes it was admin / secretaries. I know many NHS admins are being redeployed as their departments aren't busy due to f2f appointments / surgeries etc being cancelled. Rhuem Chapel Allerton should request some of them. Xx

[Willow1414 in reply to Apricot100]

Yes I agree 🦋❤️

[Kevin53]

I’m very interested and hopeful the dates will work.