General hospital appointment for with rheumatology

[Witsend8]

Will my hospital appt with rheumatology consultant happen. Its first since starting biologics injections. I need bloods checking as im also a double transplant patient and on sulphasalazine.

Im 125 miles. Away ffrom gp and hospital, no gp near me.

[AgedCrone]

Maybe you should call the hospital appointment line & ask?

If you are in UK, I would search around & find a GP practice closer to home....there are regulations about distance from your GP.

[Witsend8 in reply to AgedCrone]

Im here in a temporary issue, due to issues. I am moving back whenever its possible. I am waiting until the govt issue their guidence next week before doing anything. Whatever is done niw can change immediately currently.

By way, my GPs and hospitals all know im here long term in a temporary measure, due to divorce issues. I think that answers all your points. I was just trying to offer a hand of friendship to someone.

[AgedCrone in reply to Witsend8]

I thought I was being helpful...if you had been from overseas you might not have known about the rules of proximity to your GP in emergency situations.

You did not mention the present distance was a temporary arrangement, & that your regular GP was aware of your present location.

[Witsend8 in reply to AgedCrone]

I saw the news everyday as I was with friends that's why I cut short my trip.I've had a lot of illnesses know the rules,know what I have to do. My hospital even sent letter to get me known to local hospital here,house is now under offer,so hopefully I can move back soon.

I haven't done anything wrong I just do temp with local TO when I need to go. I

try not to be big concern to my beloved NHS who saved my life twice.

[AgedCrone in reply to Witsend8]

Understood.....I hope you get things sorted soon.

[Witsend8 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you I will get bloods done somehow somewhere. Plus get results to two bowls invade some immune suppressant drugs need changing.

[Mmrr]

Best check with your hospital. I had a call from mine yesterday saying my appointment will go ahead. But others on here have had appointments changed to 'phone calls.

[KittyJ]

I think hospitals and gp’s have been contacting people about appointments ( mine have) so hopefully yours will too. I hope you get contacted soon.

[Witsend8 in reply to KittyJ]

It's not until next week so it won't happen yet. My own belief is to wait as the bus are waiting for next govt. Info happening next week sometime. Good luck

[charisma]

Only your own Rheumatology Dept can answer... not heard anything from mine yet and I should be seen late March.

As far as I’m aware, blood checks will go ahead, especially for vulnerable and high risk persons.

Do you have an RA Advice line at your Rheumatology Dept? I’d try that... and take care of yourself at this time when ordinary life stress (divorced myself) is not helped by current crisis around the globe.

[Witsend8 in reply to charisma]

called them last week when abroad,they are so busy I'm trying not to add to their workload until the day before my appointment. The govt are announcing measures next week for pre existing medical conditions I heard on tv yesterday. It could all change all the time.

[charisma in reply to Witsend8]

Yes, I heard that would happen re Gov. I’m avoiding calling too for the same reasons. It is a concern that increases stress; hope everything works out for you.

[helixhelix]

I think you need to call your hospital. If you are a double transplant patient you probably shouldn’t be travelling anywhere!

The government guidance does says that you should be contacted, so if you have moved then you need to make sure your health professionals know where you are. Here’s the text

“there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication”

Here’s the link to the full document. Stay put!

[Witsend8 in reply to helixhelix]

Govt said new instructions next week so anything I get told before then has a good chance of changing. So I'll wait.

For your inflation travelled abroad 3 months post my double transplants! I followed consultant advice who told me to live my life. I had almost died from total organ failure.

[helixhelix in reply to Witsend8]

As AC said, I’m just trying to be helpful. Why did you post if you don’t want any replies?

[Witsend8 in reply to helixhelix]

I didnt say I didn't want replies,I just dont think people should be critical of others,thought it was to be helpful,support and offer helpful answers to others questions.

I don't like people criticising others,we all have the right to live our own lives.life is much too short to be critical,I leant thats the hard way

[KittyJ in reply to Witsend8]

No one is being critical of you Witsend, you asked a question and everyone has given an answer. What do you see written that’s criticising you ?

[Witsend8 in reply to KittyJ]

Well,personally i think some answers) not yours by the way) have been critical. I asked a couple of questions, got some helpful answers but others asked how i was going away to far away places, when i was going to Spain but leaving house the day before and was concerned about time with temperature controlled biologic injections i had only just started taking! I have injected for over 40yrs,but others arent so temperature controlled. Others a asked why i had gone abroad, but when i went NO controls were in place, it was very early days here too. Nothing had closed or changed.

I thought this was a site for help not criticism and others to vent on.

I have considered coming off, but i dont give a stuff about them or what they say, i just wanted to hopefully help someone else.

[KittyJ in reply to Witsend8]

I don’t see that written here, sorry. Maybe you’re talking about a different post, that’s what’s confusing people 😊

[Witsend8 in reply to Witsend8]

It's just in general for certain people on here. My other question was jan most likely.

I have offered to speak to people who are alone or feel down. I just want to help people as i know what that horrid feeling is like.

[Witsend8 in reply to helixhelix]

I'm also immune suppressed in 3 different ways.

[cass24]

I had an appointment with my rheumatology clinic yesterday but the consultant did say that they might be switching over to telephone appointments at some stage soon which might actually be a blessing for you if you didn't have to travel... though obviously not possible if you need blood tests and/or other physical checks.

Of course, each area may be different and things are changing even by the hour, but I'm sure the hospital will continue you to let you know what applies in your case.

For what it's worth, I personally feel the practice of keeping as many people as possible from physically visiting the surgeries and hospitals is a good thing in keeping both staff and patients as safe as possible, and available to treat those who most urgently need it whether that's for Covid itself or other crucial check ups and monitoring.

[Witsend8 in reply to cass24]

Totally agree with you on keeping people away from hospital and GP. I will get it sorted as I just know I need to get bloods done somehow and get results to two different hospitals for them to be able to check if any immune suppressant drugs need to be altered. I will get

those done somehow somewhere.

[Witsend8]

Think all hospitals doing what they interpret advice from govt. It's changing daily with new into for pre existing medical conditions next week.

I personally will wait to see what happens.I'm not panicking as it's my own belief that we all have a different life span. When it's our own time it happens then.My own personal way if looking at life.

Don't get me wrong,I take care and know to be careful, but I also ask why I was saved and wish I had been.we all have ups and downs that's life. Sorry for back grammer!

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS in reply to Witsend8]

Hi Witsend8

Thank you for posting. As you say, you'll know more with the government update on long term conditions and it's hard for people to offer answers, as your rheumatology team are probably still deciding what to do and also waiting for updates and as you said are so busy with queries. In the meantime if you have anything you want to talk through you are welcome to speak to our helpline team. They can be contacted by phone [phone], Mon-Fri, 9.30-4.30) or email ([e-mail]).

Kind regards

Victoria

[Witsend8 in reply to Victoria-NRAS]

Thank you but a week is a long time away at rhe moment, everything can change very quickly x

[Dobcross1]

I hope yours does go ahead. Best to call to check if you can. I've just had a text cancelling my Rheumatology appointment on 6 April with no further info - will just have to wait and see what happens.