This does seem like a good idea and I’ve just had the letter from Urology giving me details of how it works. I don’t know if Rheumatology will go the same way but for me it’s a good idea and I don’t need to see the Consultant unless I have an issue. But this system means that instead of a regular check up a patient calls an appointment line when they need help and an appointment is going to be available in 4/6 weeks. It might free up a lot of time to get new patients seen earlier and those lucky enough to be stable don’t have to go to hospital so often. I did agree to this so I don’t know if it’s going to be imposed on patients but my Consultant did ask me if I wanted to try it. The PIP is lasting a year and I really hope it leads to more people being seen and getting treated a lot quicker than sitting on a waiting list for years.
Patient Initiated Pathway: This does seem like a good... - NRAS
Patient Initiated Pathway
Our rheumatology have a similar system, where patients being treated on meds other than biologics, are transferred to the care of a private company ConnectHealth who see the patients more locally, but can get them reviewed by the consultant when needed. It frees up hospital appointments for new patients. Although my 6 month F2F review that he insisted on, was due in March, to see how my knee injury and feet were doing, still waiting 😂.
I got an email from my rheumatology dept a few years ago asking questions along that line. I said I was happy to contact them if and when I felt I needed an appointment. That was the last I heard from them though. There was nothing to say that was how they intended to operate. I got my last appointment by contacting the consultants secretary and booking myself in - I waited for three months though before I saw anyone.
The ConnectHealth system sounds good but as you say your appointment was due in March and you are still waiting to be seen so it sounds as if that arrangement is now having the same sort of problems as the rheumatology dept was having. Looks like there are just too many of us creaky people.
I’m not with ConnectHealth, I need to stay under the hospital’s rheumatologist as I’m on biologics, MTX and steroids, so classed as complex. It’s currently only those on Dmards or similar that can use connecthealth. It doesn’t seem to have eased the pressure as my appointment is 6 months overdue
I’m on Azathyoprine, Etanercept, B12, Thyroxine, Ad cal, Riveroxaban and they are saying this is run by the hospital not outsourced. I don’t know if RA will offer it yet. Appointments here are running as usual and so we might be lucky but who knows what the future will change. I think some changes are worrying but I was asked about the PIP appoitments and will wait and see if it lives up to its promise. Xx
I do understand why depts like rheumatology are choosing these services. Unlike surgeons who discharge you once surgery is completed, rheumatologists keep adding to their list. As once your under their care that generally continues unless you move away or die. So the lists keep getting larger, and unsustainable. Hopefully your experience will be good with urology 🤞
I wait to see but it was offered not imposed and that makes a huge difference. And he explained it so the letter today wasn’t a surprise, I think it might be because I said no to more invasive investigations but can change my mind if I want more stents.
I think it sounds like a good idea in theory. Would be even better if there was an online booking system like the GP surgery. But of course the proof is in the pudding so to speak. It will be interesting to see just how long patients have to actually wait for an appointment. If the system is properly supported it could be really positive for patients, only time will tell.
Our GP stopped on line booking it’s same day now or 3 weeks or more appointment for routine stuff.
Ours does same day emergency appointments by phone, then online for routine stuff and it works quite well. My husband came down with an ear infection at the weekend and managed to book a nurse appointment online for Monday teatime. We can also send a message to the surgery via the app for non urgent enquiries. From what I can gather we’re quite lucky with this. My mums GP is absolutely hopeless and my daughter has to call at 8.00am….if she waits until 8.15am all the appointments have gone! If one can do it, it should be able to be rolled out to all. The technology is there, it just takes a bit of organisation…but of course we are talking NHS 😂
Our GP phone system cost me £18 for one call as over the hour Sky charge a fortune.So I wrote to practice manager because we had to ring in response to there text to say they had missed a blood test report. So others did the same saying high cost due to delay in getting through and they introduced a ring back system and opened replies to there texts. So it’s improving but we’ve got 15 doctors most of which are only working very part time. One only does 8 hours a month. But at least they are working as a few villages here have no GPs at all.
This would work better for me.
And save on parking. The number of times when asked if I hurt and I've said 'no" over past 20 years or so could get a lot of people off waiting lists. I know it won't work for all but when resources are limited then unless someone dies the waiting list won't move much. I think the 6th monthly ones were done when not so many medications available. I remember right at the start it was 3 monthly. I'd not even mind if it was yearly as long as when needed patients can see or at least speak to someone.
There will probably be people who try to abuse the system but that's the same everywhere. One concern is that as a seronegative patient (PsA and spondyloarthritis), my word is all I have before scans. I can't prove I'm in a flare with blood tests.
Yes that makes it a lot different, I'm RA positive so probably more stabilised. But they did say it was voluntary for Urology so might be the same for RA .
I was put on this as for several years was having appointments that really were not necessary. A few weeks ago i had a flare up so phoned the pifu helpline.They phoned back the same day and I was given an appointment with my consultant for the next day!
Ulcers in my eye
So frustrated! :-(
update on long post
Can I pick your brains?!
What a difference a phone call makes !!!
