Rheumatologist in Norfolk

[Shanim]

Hi

can anybody recommend a good rheumatologist that works in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital please ?

Thanks

[Deeb1764]

I saw privately as a 2nd opinion Prof Karl Gaffney he was brilliant but I think he does NHS as well.

[Shanim in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you for reply, I am moving to Norfolk and am going to have to change from Ipswich, I find that not all rheumatologists are very considerate or sympathetic and I noticed from one of your previous posts you said that you had to manage Diagnosis vs medication vs side effects vs outcome, which is the problem I have, all the medications makes me feel really ill and I don’t know which is worse, my Rheumy at ipswich left a little mysteriously and I have just been discussing with the nurse but I have been in a lot of pain lately and need to get something sorted as I think I have dropped off the radar there. Can I ask what you are you diagnosed with please ? as I have googled Karl Gaffney but I can’t see what he specialises inThanks again

[Deeb1764 in reply to Shanim]

Will pm you x

[Bessieboo1]

I used to live in Norwich and was under the care of Dr DeSilva who was a really good consultant, she was good at getting things sorted in respect of treatments, referrals and support. The only negative is that her clinics are always running late as she is so nice and actually listens to what you’re saying and you don’t feel that she is trying to get you out the door when you have just sat down!!! Prof Gaffney does work at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and is an excellent Dr he has quite a big following on the NHS and privately as well. It is an excellent department with brilliant Nurse Specialist and occupational therapists. They are also quite active on the research side of things and always have studies on the go which is good for patients. Good luck with your move.

[Shanim in reply to Bessieboo1]

Thank you, that sounds like my old consultant, she was always running late but very sympathetic, which I know it sounds sad but I like because a lot of people can be very dismissive of our health problems

[Gail1605]

I am under the care of Dr Bingham she has been brilliant, also the nurse practitioners up there are so lovely and helpful.

[Shanim in reply to Gail1605]

Thank you, can see I certainly have a few options

[Hollyhock123]

I moved and transferred my care here 16 months ago (during a lockdown). I was put onto Dr Bingham’s list. I’m on biologics and she specialises in that area as a treatment. I started my referral process straight after a biologics delivery at old address and got my next one at the right address on time! Regards consultation, over the phone. But in September when I had a foot issue she saw me in clinic and had follow up investigations. Biologic nurse team great, helpful regards a chat re symptoms for perimenausal v RA& OA for me!

[Shanim in reply to Hollyhock123]

Thank you

[HappykindaGal]

Without a doubt Karl Gaffney 😊

[Shanim in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thank you

[Pands]

Hi- I am also under Karl Gaffney and have been for 20 years now. I have RA and secondary osteoarthritis. He has seen me all the way through from diagnosis (in my twenties) through various medications. Been on Biologics for 14 years and my RA is well controlled. Unfortunately I have severe secondary osteoarthritis because of the RA but he still looks after that for me as well. In fact I am seeing him again this week for more knee steroid injections. The rest of the dept has always been good but they are so much busier than they were 10 years ago. Biologic nurses are excellent and I have had a lot of help from them over the years as well including being contactable over lockdown.

[Shanim]

Thank you that’s very helpful

[Dave74]

All of them are pretty good to be fair! 😊

[StormySky]

This is of interest to me. I am in Norfolk and found the rheumatology department at the local hospital a complete waste of time. When I recently had my 2 month follow up (10 months after it was supposed to happen) I expressed confusion about the diagnosis made during lockdown (I've tried to google what it is) as I do not have most of the symptoms, but I do have symptoms not listed. They pointed out the doctor who made the diagnosis is a specialist, and even if I don't meet the diagnostic criteria, that is still the diagnosis. I also explained that elements of the referral were incorrect (e.g. age, marital status, contact details, presenting symptoms), but they were not interested. I mentioned that I still have problems, but have been slowly getting better since stopping all rheumatology medications (I stopped on my GP's advice as they were making me very ill). The local rheumatologist told me that is not possible: the condition I have progresses - it does not get better. They then wrote to my GP advising him that I am 'not keen on treatment'. I would welcome an opportunity to see someone willing to look at my accurate medical history and symptoms to see if they might be able to help me. The rheumatologists at Norfolk and Norwich sound like they are much better at understanding and explaining than the one at my local hospital. Does anyone know whether it is possible to change the hospital we are allocated to? My GP surgery already said I don't need to see anyone else as I'm already under the local hospital. I did try to see a different rheumatologist privately (as it was such a long wait for my 2-month follow up), but he told me I had to get an NHS GP referral for him to do any tests or offer any treatment, so I couldn't progress any further with him.