Moving back to UK (On Peginterferon)

[dengor]

Hi all, I am currently on bi-weekly Pegasys Peginterferon injections here in HK. I am planning on moving back to the UK this summer. Does anyone know or have experience about how to go about continuing my injections through the NHS when I return?

[Threelions]

Hi,

According to my consultant it would depend on where in the uk you move to.

Living just outside London I was referred to Guys Hospital and was put on peg Interferon straight away and still taking now (just switched from weekly to bi-weekly)

I have been pleased with the treatment but was told it’s a bit of of a postcode lottery as to where it is available.

Others may be able to expand on their experiences.

[EleanorPV]

Yip. I’m in the north east of Scotland and had to justify my need for Pegasys. I would advice contacting the head of haematology, in the area you would move to.

[Chaz1]

Make sure your medical records going to your UK GP are complete as they will need to refer you to a Haemotologist in the UK, this might take a bit of time so have a good supply of meds to see you through this period as your GP might not be able to prescribe it to you. (it could be a few months!!) Have your current consultant write a letter you can take detailing your past treatment and why you are on the meds they prescribed. Hopefully the consultant will just agree & argue your case for funding if need be. Best to be proactive, if you know where you are moving to contact the GP surgery that is going to be your one, most won't complete your registration until you have been seen by a GP & it can take a few months to get a routine appointment for this therefore contact what will be your surgery, tell them about your condition, that you'd need to be referred to a Haemo to continue your care & appreciate that there could be some delay, and ask how they can help keep you supported in the transition and maintaining your health. If it works out you hopefully will have had it sorted so you have an appointment for as soon as you move & they will know they are doing the referral & to who, you can ask for a referral to a particular hospital or consultant so provide that information initially if you would like this option. The GP can often get the agreement from the Haemo to continue for prescription in the time between referral & your hospital appointment. Unfortunately you cannot get an appointment with a Haemo without a GP referral & you have to be registered for this, even probate clinics ask for the referral. Once you are registered then the NHS is great.

[dengor]

Some great info here. Thanks all! FYI, I'll be moving back to North Tyneside.

[tracey13 in reply to dengor]

Maybe you may have to go to Freeman hospital in Newcastle.

We from teeside my husband sees his local hematologist.

He's been to Freeman a few times .

Tracey

[dengor in reply to tracey13]

That's what I suspected. Thanks!

[Hidden]

newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/...

[dengor in reply to Hidden]

Brilliant, thanks!