So what happens now.....?

Interesting, if not somewhat distressing, piece on BBC Northwest Tonight yesterday (22/07/13) about the terrible state of the NHS here on the Isle of Man. Basically they are saying that the elderly and people with long term chronic conditions are a drain on the service and that as such they currently have a £40 million pound shortfall. I was having a bad day anyway yesterday, was in an incredible amount of pain and when I saw that I just wept.

It is 4 weeks today since my appointment with the Rheumy was cancelled, with just 3 hours notice, and still no sign of a new one. I am trying to see if I can get a Private Appointment across in the UK but that has the added stress and expense of air fares on top. I'm feeling very despondent and abandoned right now.

The hospital is next to useless when you ring them, front desk doesn't know what's going on and Rheumatology is always an answerphone that no matter how many messages you leave, they never get back to you.

The Isle of Parliament have discussed the situation with waiting times for Rheumatology and Orthopaedics but discussion and action seem to be poles apart. Now this latest 'finger pointing' blaming the elderly and those with chronic conditions is just too much.

Ah well, I guess I'll write another pointless email to my local MHK (MP) and then concentrate on saving for a private diagnosis.

Sorry folks, I don't expect anyone here to do or even say anything I just needed to let off some steam!

[summer32]

ooh dear well not sure that is news to cheer you up at all in that programme, but I Have a plan for you its a bit complicated manx2 airlines fly into Gloucester airport several times a week I believe for £80.00.

The local Nhs hospital mine were I ALSO w, Dr collins and he will see you at either the Winfield Hospital ( Ramsay health group). or Nuffield Cheltenham his basic fee about £180.00 prob.. it was £150 in 2009, but would access to your NHS records such as blood tests etc.. these cost a lot privately( He works for NHS in the North of my county so could access my records.

Plan B if some one living in north england eg liverpool could contact you with any private consultant details or even if an NHS Hospital could see you there?

[summer32 in reply to summer32]

should read NHS hospital at gloucester were I also work doesnt do private appointments. I saw

Dr Collins.. my typing disappeared when doing the answer!! another glitch??. and no edit facility after posting!!

[Hidden in reply to summer32]

Thanks Summer! Yes Citywing (who bought out Manx2 airlines) do fly to Gloucester from about £160 return but you do need to book a good while in advance to get those cheapest fares If I wanted to do it tomorrow I couldn't do it for less than £300 return. I thought I'd found a consultant in Liverpool but it turned out he's a paediatric rheumatologist (I think I'm a bit old to get away with that!) Also, I'm trying to get my employers healthcare insurer to pay for the consultation before they pension me off! lol

Is either of your hospitals near(ish) to the airport Summer? Thanks for the info re: Dr.Collins, I'll go 'Google' him now!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It makes my blood boil sometimes to hear of how little people understand generally or care about those of us with RA and similar autoimmune diseases. I know we try to explain and educate but I agree we can't risk losing everyone we care about in order to get across how serious it is. I hope Summer's suggestions prove helpful to you. Have you discussed next steps with your GP yet? Tilda x

[summer32 in reply to Hidden]

Both are equi distance from air port and I COULD EVEN put you up for the night( I am about five miles from airport nice spare doubleroom

. winfield is about six from airport and nuffield(chelt) about 5 miles

[summer32 in reply to summer32]

Dr collins is from Swindon.. and his private hospital base is the Ridgeway hospital,, he will travel to glos for private patients I saw him on a saturday as when first ill my NHS hospital wait was july to november!! got desperate saw him in october

[Hidden]

I'm not sure we could ever edit our comments as we could our blogs and questions but this facility would be great I agree.

It seems to be a case of survival of the fittest mentality down in England these days and the IOM seems to be replicating this from what you are saying? How did we get to such a state of affairs that the morse vulnerable in the population end up being so marginalised? It is really horrible and makes me feel very glad to be living in Scotland. Here in Orkney things are far from ideal but I am grateful to at least have been diagnosed and treated and have a good working relationship with a good consultant rheumatologist. No wonder you wept - I feel like weeping for you frankly. But I think Summer's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Could you perhaps have a find raising session through your son and extended family and friends?i know how people rally round up here to get specialist treatment and pay for support for people with cancer. Surely it is no different here and everyone should be rallying round to raise some money to help you get the treatment you're entitled to? I know it would be very hard to do this for yourself but if you explained the situation to you wider family then might they not want to help you in this way perhaps? If I lived further south I would offer you free accommodation but I don't think Orkney is going to be of much use to you. You have at least made me feel relatively fortunate but I know not everyone here is. X

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tilda, yes I went to a fundraiser for a poor young Mum with cancer just this weekend. People do rally round, there is a great community spirit here but I just don't think RA commands the same sort of 'respect' and empathy as cancer does if you know what I mean. Generally, people just don't understand what RA is do they? I've lost quite a few friends over it who think I'm just moaning about a few aches and creaks. Obviously they couldn't have been true friends in the first place but it does make me wary of complaining to my remaining friends. xx