MSK Community Care

[Chockyuk]

Hello All

Just had my latest check up at the Hospital. After a terrible flare about a year and a half ago, which took ages to get under control, Sulfa was finally added to my Mthx and has really been a game changer.

I have also been lucky enough to have an absolutely amazing Rheumatologist and I have had the absolute best care from the Hospital.

Since my condition is now seen as stable I was told she would see me for another year, but if I’m still stable after then I would be discharged to the community MSK clinic.

I have had experience of them before when I had a rotator cuff injury, difficulty getting hold of someone, phone constantly rings with no answer, no consistency of care.

It’s so concerning as I assumed I’d be under the care of the hospital now forever, but it seems with cutbacks they have now outsourced to other companies. The very nature of RA is it can fall off the edge of a cliff anytime, and from what I gather as the MSK Clinic does have Rheumatologists, there would be no consistency, where I would be sent, and who I would see, there is no guarantee they could even see you in a timely fashion in order to maybe tweak meds, or maybe give steroid injections.

It’s such a shame and also very scary, as when you wait for months to finally get accepted onto the Hospital Rheumatology Clinics, have great care for 6 years, then get to whipped away, only to have to start all over again with a totally different clinic.

I wondered if anyone else had heard of this new initiative. Whilst I understand the need to cut down on their clinics and waiting lists, but if your RA is for the time being under control, you’d only need a conversation over the phone maybe once a year - but still remain on their books instead of having to start all over again with somewhere new.

🤷‍♀️

[Runrig01]

Yes, my local rheumatology service have contracted out care to a company called Connect Health. You are still officially under the care of a hospital Consultant, although you’re generally seen closer to home, by either gps with a special interest in rheumatology, or a rheumatology nurse. We actually lost several rheumatology nurses to the service. They currently don’t take patients on biologics, so I’m not currently under their care. Apparently if they have concerns, they refer you back to your consultant.

I do see the need for the service, as rheumatology is one of the few specialities, where once on their books, your on it for life, until you pass away. Yet there are large numbers waiting for initial assessments. Surgeons books stay much more steady, as once you’ve had surgery, you are generally discharged. I know a few people who are seen by Connect Health, and seem happy with the service. Here you have 20 miles at least, sometimes 35, through country roads to get to the hospital, or several trains or buses. Whereas Connect Health run clinics here in the small community hospital, so it’s more convenient, and they are often seen by the rheumatology nurse they used to see at the hospital. I’m sure the nurses find it less stressful, than their nhs jobs. My concern is losing highly skilled nurses, to these less stressful posts, rather than giving them a better working experience in the nhs.

[Chockyuk in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you, that has made me feel a tad better and yes it is Connect Health. I have read some bad reviews about their Rheumatology function though and I didn’t have the best experience myself when I had my Rotator Cuff problem.

I suppose I am especially attached to my Consultant as she is so good and whilst under her care she has sorted my thyroid and iron issues too, so I am so grateful for the way both she and the hospital have looked after me. I did understand from her though that once discharged to their care I wouldn’t be able to rejoin the Hospital Rheumatology if I had another major flare.

We have had no specialist nurses for years now since Covid, so I can’t comment about that.

Xx

[Runrig01 in reply to Chockyuk]

I can fully understand your concerns. I attended a local meeting a few year ago, by versus arthritis, where someone from Connect Health was there. A lot of questions were asked, including remaining under their rheumatologist. Unless it has changed since then, but they assured patients, they would remain under their care, and given an appointment with them if any concerns arose. If you weren’t under their care, my concern would be if you deteriorate how do you get access to biologics 🤗