So. I had a telephone ‘consultation’ with one of my RA ‘consultants’ yesterday. My use of quotations is because I hardly deem it worth being a ‘consultation’. The call lasted literally 1 minute 30 seconds and consisted of him checking which meds I’m taking. I wanted to disclose falls I’m having more frequently because of my weak ankles. I wanted to inform him of any flares I have had. I really wanted to discuss issues I’m having with pain in my knees, constantly locking and its occurrence happening every day now rather than a few times each month. Didn’t get the chance as he’d ended the call. To say I’m furious is an understatement. I don’t know where to go from here. 🤷🏻♀️ Apologies for the rant - just wanted to get it off my chest. Thanks for listening. x
Telephone ‘consultation’: So. I had a telephone... - NRAS
Telephone ‘consultation’
I’ve also had less than stellar experiences with phone appointments, not just with rheum, so I do empathise. I would contact the rheum nurses in writing (I tend to email) and politely explain exactly what you just have here. That you didn’t get the opportunity to discuss any of the following issues and you’re concerned about them. The other option is to speak to the PALS service at the hospital; I’ve previously had quite good success resolving care and communication issues that way with other specialties. You could also try speaking to the secretary for your named consultant (or a consultant you’ve seen before and got on well with).
I agree! I would suggest writing a letter to the consultant (rather than email) with a copy to the GP and say you would like a proper consultation or you will need to contact PALS.
Try sending the letter to his secretary. That way he gets to see it more quickly...as suggested by my RA Consultant.
Complain to PALS at the entrance to the hospital darling.xxxx
I agree with Charlie - put it in writing as you’ve written so clearly here and send to consultant and nurses . If no response in a reasonable time, send it to PALS as well. Perhaps a copy to GP as well - they need to know how patients they refer are being treated
How demoralising , awful, makes you feel like your worthless , why has the medical world gone this strange. I don’t understand it .
That's awful Lulu and not at all professional of him, you're suffering and need help. I agree with others here, put it in writing and if you don't get any joy, contact PALS, he shouldn't be allowed to get away with that. Good luck.
That is totally unacceptable and I think a letter to him is needed with a copy to your GP if he doesn’t get in touch quickly. I’d say exactly as you have to us which is very clear and well written, re the issues which need advice and action on ASAP and in 90 seconds that wasn’t possible in that very short amount of time afforded to you. I’d ask that another appointment is made as a matter of priority and not to wait until next review in 4 months etc., as what you experienced was not a review, just a check on your current meds. It’s insulting and frustrating to be brushed aside when you have problems which are worsening. I hope you can have a proper phone consultation very soon and say I’d like to discuss the specific problems I raised in my letter. Hopefully he’ll be much better and give a sensible amount of time. It was rude and of no help to you at all what he did. Good luck. x
I am sure if you make a list of all the points you wanted to discuss with your rheumy- then give your rheumy nurses a call…..explain you really need a f2f consult….they will be able to arrange something.You could get an appointment with your rheumy’s Registrar…they are often much more helpful than the consultant…..most registrars who take f2f consults are very senior & really do listen to patients ….so don’t feel unhappy about not seeing the consultant every time you have a check up.
Emphasise your fears about your falling, & ask if you maybe need a drug review now rather- than wait until your next check up.
But most of all…..don’t get too upset about it…..even rheumatology consultants have bad days.
Nothing new to add than what has been said above...I despair at the 'care' offered by some rheumatologists....we need to have a zero tolerance policy for this type of behaviour.
That’s not good and you’ve every right to shout! I can’t understand why, now we’re supposed to be ‘living with covid’ we are still not getting f2f consultations. I totally understand the problems within the NHS (retired nursing sister) but if you’ve swollen, unstable joints and obvious problems with your health you need to be seen not just phoned for a quick diy diagnosis and a tick in a box. RD is so complex and can cause problems really fast from one month to the next and therefore not a good disease to be left on the back burner. I’m afraid this is the way things seem to be heading and unless we rise up and challenge the latest unthought-through edicts from the Health Agencies none of us will get the service we deserve. Hope you do rise up and good luck with getting some help and support. Good suggestions from others on here on how to go about it.
I can understand why they’re not seeing people and not everyone needs a f2f to be fair. I had a text from my surgery yesterday. Every GP has Covid so they can’t see anyone at all now so I guess they’re trying to eliminate the risk.
Absolutely ridiculous and I have one in May so not looking forward to it as I’m not on any RD drugs at the moment and I’m struggling with pain and fatigue,looks like I’m going to have to phone the help line to see if I can get an appointment
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply. Your support and advice is truly welcome and appreciated. I’ve decided to contact my Rheumy nurse - one I’ve had positive and helpful contact with before. Hopefully I’ll get more appropriate advice from her.☺️xxx
Good luck Lulu - let us know how you get on. x
I personally would email rather than write a standard letter. Standard letters can take ages to get through the nhs snail mail system. With email you have evidence it’s been sent, and can be seen as received. I do believe there is still a place for phone consultations, especially those of us still at high risk of covid due to meds. I have to say throughput the pandemic, I’ve had F2F when it’s been warranted.
I’ve read the other replies and just want to nicely say that you could control the call and start off by saying I have 4 worries to discuss and then don’t end the call until you’ve discussed them, after all unless they actually hang up on you , you can keep talking. I would call back and reverse the charges!
I had a phone appointment a few months after the start of lockdown as I had started a new Biologic the day of lockdown & couldn’t be seen. The problem was my consultant phoned 2 days early whilst I was still in bed ( I’m a slow coach in the mornings). I rushed to the phone & said my appointment is for 2 days time on Thursday. Her response was well I’m busy then! Needless to say it didn’t go down well as I wasn’t prepared & got upset. In the first instance I called my Advice Line & had a call back from her & a new appointment was arranged with a different consultant. I wouldn’t rush straight to Pals ( they are excellent) but try to sort it yourself in the first instance if possible. Incidentally I saw this Consultant 2 weeks ago & she was lovely. Coincidence? 🤷🏻♀️ Try not to get too upset be calm but insistent on why you need to be seen. Good luck.
Morning Lulu, you are allowed to be frustrated, totally justified. Being in pain as so many of us know, isn't fun and getting short changed by your conultant, who is supposed to be helping even less.so. Pain wears you down. Good luck and good health. 🐕🐕
That's terrible and the last thing you need when feeling so rotten. When I was rushed thru an one of my appointments last year without being able to ask questions or discuss things (and I was ever so bad), I emailed (my usual way now) & without me asking I was given another appt to answer all my questions with the rheumy, a welcome surprise. When I email about anything, the rheumy nurse phones my by the next day, so fortunately things are working pretty well in that way for me.
I agree with others here that best for you to put it in writing - either email or letter, or rather both. At least things are on record then too - and get some proper consideration. Good Luck and hang on in there X
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