Moving to another health area

[strongmouse]

Hello, my husband has RA plus various other conditions. He is on tocilizumab infusions every four weeks (at the hospital) and regular blood tests.

We are hoping to move at some point to be nearer family. However he is worried about how easily it will be to ensure he gets continuity of care. Does anyone know how this works? Will the Consultant transfer him across to another hospital in a new area or will he need to do this via a GP?

Obviously we will register with a new GP, but it is the hospital care he is worried about most. He also regularly has a physiotherapy appointment at the hospital (for his lungs) and Haematology.

Many thanks.

[Hopeful1]

When I moved before I left I asked my consultant to refer me directly to one at my new hospital as I moved. This did not seem to be unusual. All went smoothly as I hope it will for you.

[strongmouse in reply to Hopeful1]

That sounds like a good way forward, thanks.

[HevsK]

Hello, I’d been on Tocilizumab for almost 7 years when the nurses in the infusion unit suggested I switched to weekly self administered injections. Funding was granted and it was brilliant, I only had to have quarterly blood tests instead of 4 weekly so it meant we could live full time in our seaside retreat. My consultant subsequently told me he was leaving so we decided it was time to change to a hospital closer to our new home and he referred me to the team I am now under, no hold ups or problems with being prescribed, or the delivery of, the Tocilizumab injections. I hope everything goes as smoothly for your husband, in my opinion it’s definitely better to ask your current RA consultant/team to make the referral once you know where the nearest hospital will be after the move. Best wishes to you both x

[strongmouse in reply to HevsK]

My husband asked about being changed over to the injections rather than infusion, but was told that the injections are in short supply. I don't know if this is a common problem?

[cathie]

I moved from Oxford to edinburgh- so to a different country. It was seamless. I can’t remember the procedure except that I chose a GP because there were several in my area. And my notes etc went to the hospital specialising in RA. No problem at sll

[strongmouse in reply to cathie]

Thanks Cathie. Glad to hear it went well. Hope are experience is the same!

[Bessieboo1]

When I moved 3 years ago my new gp did an urgent referral to the local hospital. My old consultant gave me enough injections for 4 months and I had to contact her if I was running out. Everything went smoothly.

[strongmouse in reply to Bessieboo1]

Thanks for sharing Bessieboo1. We are hoping that's what happens with other hospital appointments. The main problem is he has to go to the hospital every four weeks for the infusion and have blood test done a few days before he goes. (He had a liver infection last autumn when he was on Methotraxate and they now monitor his liver results closely).

We did wonder, if he needed to, about an interim appointment at the current hospital after we move to tide him over, but it won't be an easy journey for an early appointment! Medications taken at home are much easier to manage! I think speaking to his current Consultant is probably a good way forward once we have a moving date.

[Bessieboo1]

Where are you moving to? It is so worrying moving house, not only do you have the worry and stress of selling your home and the stress of packing but also trying to sort out medical issues as well. We sold our home and moved again 8 weeks ago but have actually moved by closer to York to E as make it easier for hospital appointments.

Yes treatment at home is far easier than having to go to hospital for infusions. Have you tried contacting the hospital that your husband will be receiving his treatment at to ask about the referral protocol? Best of luck xx