Northern Ireland

[TheBoys]

hello

Anyone on the forum who lives in NI?

What is treatment like there on the U.K. NHS

We are looking at moving to the North West.

Am on Amgevita injection and MTX -

So just wondering if biologics / biosimilars are commonly prescribed there?

clinic wise -I m seen by Rheumatologist once a year plus twice a year with the Nurse and once a year by a respiratory specialist.

Thanks

[Runrig01]

I have family in Belfast. There rheumatology service in NI is in crisis. There is a 4yr wait for routine, and 2yr wait for urgent. I personally wouldn’t want to be relocating there. With you being in NI I’m not sure your rheumatologist would be able to continue prescribing till you were seen.

Here’s a news article re it:

belfastlive.co.uk/news/heal...

Here’s a government site with info. belfastlive.co.uk/news/heal...

[wilbertjellyfish]

I live in Northern Ireland. I'm on biologics and tbh have a lot less hassle getting meds compared to people using sciences!!! Sorry about spelling.Initially to get diagnosed I had to go private but then was seen quickly by the nhs.

My disease is not well controlled, nothing to do with the nhs, I can ring the rheumy nurse at the hospital anytime and they usually return my call the same day.

I've seen the consultant three or four times in the past year.

There likely is variation between different health trusts but once your in the system it's fine.

[weathervane]

I receive rituximab, and find the service here is excellent, though maybe it can be different if you are a new referral to rheumatology . I hope your move goes smoothly.

[Pinkypie2018]

I live in Northern Ireland also and have no problems. I see my consultant twice a year and my specialist nurse always rings back if needed usually within a day or so. I’m on biologics too and have no problem when they need changed as I’m now on my fourth one.