Good RA hospital along M4 corridor?

[Hopeful1]

I am looking to retire before too long. I have 3 children living spread along M4 corridor. One factor as to where I live is finding a good Rheumy hospital. Any local knowledge would be helpful. Thank you.

[JacquiThomas999]

Not the M4, but M3. Frimley Park.

[Hopeful1 in reply to JacquiThomas999]

Many thanks - a good personal recommendation does help

[AgedCrone]

I believe the Royal Berks has a good rheumatology deoartment,...but parking is dire .

When I lived in Berkshire I took the train & went to UCH in London...brilliant rheumies there.......with lots of research .

[Hopeful1 in reply to AgedCrone]

Many thanks - a good personal recommendation does help

[Joy_1 in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi, I would NOT recommend the Royal Berks.

The Rheumatology Dept told me there was nothing wrong with me despite swollen joints in hands as seen on x-ray. My GP transferred me to the JR (Oxford) where I was diagnosed within the hour.

Another 3 folk I know would NOT recommend the Royal Berks either.

And as you say the parking is a nightmare and due to get worse.

[AgedCrone in reply to Joy_1]

I guess you speak as you find...I was never treated at the RB. But I knew people who were & they were happy with their doctors......I'm sorry you had a bad experience there.

I think it all comes down to who you see & if you like their approach to your treatment. I found in US it was much easier to find a Rheumy as you can choose who you see, whereas in the NHS you seem to have to see whoever is there at the time....unless you go Privataly which is out of the question for most people,

[Joy_1 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks AgedCrone.

My personal opinion is not to see a Junior Medic to get a diagnosis. I saw a Junior (no choice) and had to explain to her some info on a graph which she had failed to understand!

I did request to go Private. This is how the NHS works best for a number of folk I know including myself. Pay to see the top dog, get the correct diagnosis and quickly, then tip into the system with your 'label' around your neck.

But then again I know folk that have seen the top dog at Reading and have been sorely disappointed.

[AgedCrone in reply to Joy_1]

I must say the further away from the big teaching hospitals where they carry out research, the less likely it seems you are to find a really caring rheumatologist who is really interested in investigating different types of RD.

Luckily I have usually been within reach of London & in 17 years have only had three rheumies. But I have spent hours on the train or driving to see them!

[cathie]

Oxford NHS Nuffield Orthopedic. I'm not there any more but they were well resourced and competent. Message me if you want anything more specific. When I was treated there people came from a big catchment area including Isle of Wight.

[ruth_p]

I go to Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, when I was originally diagnosed 21 years ago I was seen at the Royal Berkshire (on the children's ward) in Reading but then was moved to Battle hospital also in Reading (obviously that was a long time ago). My rheumatologist Dr David then moved to Nuffield Orthopaedic and I followed him there. I now live in Essex and still travel to Oxford because the care I get there is so good.

[Hopeful1 in reply to ruth_p]

Many thanks - a good personal recommendation does help