I am interested to find out if people see /speak to their consultant or get, as I do, a different registrar everytime?
I have had lots of f2f over the last 18 months as my biologic stopped working so now on the 3rd change but I have only seen my consultant once in the 6 years since my old rheumatologist left. Getting a different person everytime means there is no continuity andthey don't tend to read back notes that much.
Is this the same everywhere? Prior to this I seen the consultant every other time I had an appointment.
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Kershon
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I get both. If I contact his secretary I get my consultant and any follow up appointment due that particular problem I see a registrar, but the last registrar was excellent would happily see him again.
Thank you. Is that standard to contact the secretary? I have only been told to ring the helpline. I do appreciate that they have given me appointments with a registrar but when they take no action or don't even acknowledge there is a problem with a particular joint it becomes pointless. Especially as that joint now needs surgery.I am not very good at complaining or being pushy but this time I think I should have been with hindsight.
I was interested to know if others hospitals have rules.. that you see your consultant every other time or if it isn't controlled etc? Maybe it's time I changed hospitals or I am expecting to much. Also I don't know which hospital would be best to change to.
I'm lucky- I have appointments every 6 months . I see my consultant once a year, always the same one I've been seeing for over 10 yrs. The other appointments are with the nurse who specialises in biologics- usually the same one. The interval between appointments was a bit longer last year but this year has been almost back to normal.Interestingly the only times I didn't see a consultant were the first few, when I was first diagnosed. Strange.
I have bee. At this hospital due 25 years and that was what always happened until the last rheumatologist left. I think I will ask if they have changed their policy or if its just this consultant. I have already requested to swap to another consultant so hopefully things will improve x
At my first appointment I was given the phone number of the consultant's secretary as well as that of the nurse helpline so my clinic obviously offers that option. I've found the nurse helpline has always produced a good response so haven't felt the need to try anything else. If I'd seen the first registrar again (the one who I didn't rate) I probably would have asked to see the consultant but luckily the second registrar was fine.
No your entitled to contact your consultants secretary and often they they will intervene. Explain your problems and what you would like . I know many on here do contact the secretary if things are not going well.. we have to be proactive or we are just left. I never use to be a person who pushes but those days are long gone .
a strong polite letter. You have nothing too loose. Good luck xx
I have only seen a consultant at diagnosis (Nov 18) and then a different one later in the first year. I've seen nurses three times (different ones) but for the last year have had absolutely no contact from Rheumatology! I'm due a telephone review next week - again with a nurse so will see if that goes ahead. I think service varies so much area to area but I certainly don't have continuity of service in any way.
Since my first appointment with the consultant in Spring 2019 I've seen two different registrars, liked the second one more than the first - much more thorough. I've also seen and had phone calls and f2f appointments with various nurses, most of whom were fine.
I think that I've been lucky in that I've had a relatively easy journey medication-wise so I'm happy for new patients and those having problems to get the consultant's time.
I haven’t seen my consultant for nearly two years, nor a registrar. I’ve only had telephone appointments despite having active and “moderate” disease. Prior to that I saw the consultant every time but my disease was rampant and we had to try four drugs to try to get some control over it.
I’m flaring now and really hope I can see my consultant soon but I think it unlikely and it will probably be a telephone appointment again.
Thank you for this. My RA has been rampant also and now need a hip replacement and bone grafts to the socket which I think if I had been seen by my consultant wouldn't have happened. At least not the bone grafts as it wouldn't have got this bad if somebody more qualified had seen me and checked my hip. I also can't put weight on my knee since a steroid injection.
I have seen anyone for over 2 years. Was due to see the consultant in March 2000 received a letter saying this had been cancelled with forward date. I think it's dreadful
Never mind consultants our GP's are like that now. Too many demands on the services and then Covid I suppose. I actually see the same registrar by choice as not bothered about a consultant. I was offered the new one but my registrar was the one who found I had kidney failure and got me into A&E that day after sitting and ringing for hours whilst I was totally unaware and shopping in Bluewater, and he visited me every day so I trust him. The nurse is lovely too.
Sounds like you struck lucky there. Most are fine but a different one every single time and having to basically go through everything again gets a bit wearing. The same one would at least give some continuity.
Often a keen, interested & up to date Rheumatology Registrar is of far more use than a stuck in his ways Consultant.Many Registrars have passed their Consultant exams & are just waiting for a Consultant position to become vacant in the hospital they want to work in.
In my area it’s pointless having a GP except for repeat prescriptions.It’s a three week wait for a telephone consultation and then apparently you have to sit in all day waiting for them to call.
The only time that I was seen by a registrar, I disagreed so much about everything he said that he just gave up and went to fetch the consultant. He did his 'sighing' when he saw it was me, and said he would see me instead. Not that I'm difficult in any way you understand (!) - I just want to know why, and what the evidence is, etc. Unfortunately, the registrar was not knowledgeable enough - poor chap, it was probably his first clinic.
I have 6 monthly appointments with specialist RA nurse who arranges my retuximab infusions and if she feels it’s necessary I see a registrar. Personally I think she knows me better than the consultant who I haven’t seen in yrs. can’t fault the service I’ve been getting. X
Recently due to biologic not working as well and developing lung issues due to my inflammatory arthritis, I have seen the Consultant. He doesn’t seem to have a registrar though, just him and rheumatology nurses. I prefer the nurses, whenever I see my Rheumy and mention hand, feet or even a fractured rib due to rib fusion and not trauma, he tells me to see my GP and refuses to examine joints. Then I see Gp who says it’s clearly a rheumatology issue, and I wait 3-6 months to see him again.
I’ve just been sent for nerve conduction studies by GP at his request without exploring more other than me saying numbness and tingling both hands. Had nerve conduction yesterday to be told it’s due to my AS affecting my neck, I’m literally sick of him.
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