Moving to a new area of UK when on biologics. - NRAS

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Moving to a new area of UK when on biologics.

Joodee profile image
12 Replies

Hello, I have been on Baricitinib, prescribed by my local hospital, for the last 6 years and it is working well. We are considering moving from Dorset to Cambridgeshire and I am wondering if anyone has experience of the process of transferring a biologic prescription from one hospital trust to another.

Also, if anyone has experience of rheumatology services in East Cambridgeshire, especially around near Ely, I’d love to know the positive or negative views.

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Joodee profile image
Joodee
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12 Replies
Madmusiclover profile image
Madmusiclover

My situation was slightly different to yours but NRAS helpline suggested I rang new authority to ask on process. Which I did! You can also check with existing hospital . They are supposed to make sure you have enough drugs to tide you over any switching process.

Joodee profile image
Joodee in reply toMadmusiclover

Thanks for that, I hadn’t thought about ringing the new authority.

JenniferW profile image
JenniferW

I am in Ely, it's a lovely town, you'll enjoy it here. There's a quarterly magazine drops through the door with a list of all the groups you can join in the town, so keep an eye out for it.

You will come under Addenbrookes, which is in Cambridge. You can drive or get there by train and bus. You can request to be seen at the Ely hospital by an Addenbrookes rheumy.

Addenbrookes is under strain but it still a very good place to be treated, there is a helpline and you can contact them via the Ask My GP and they will respond within a day or two.

Joodee profile image
Joodee

Hello, Jennifer, thanks for your reply and your endorsement of Ely as a lovely place to live. We have been visiting our son here for 8 years and have always had the impression that it is a great community. I will certainly be looking for groups to join when we move. I’ve joined the Cambridge NRAS group who are meeting tomorrow so I’m hoping to get some insight from them too as we are in the area at the moment.

I’m glad Ely hospital has visiting rheumy appointments, that’s good to know.

Thanks again.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

It’s not straight forward…..yiu will need to find a GP to refer you to your new rheumy who will have to apply for funding for Rituximab after s/he has seen you…& will tell you how long it is likely to take.

Your best bet would be to find out which hospital you would be likely to attend, then phone the rheumatology department to get information.

Despite not having the greatest reputation if you have no local contacts in the area you are thinking of moving to ….ask a local estate agent to investigate for you.

BoneyC profile image
BoneyC

I used to be seen by Rheumatology at Ely but then the consultant said he wasn't going there anymore so I went to Addenbrookes but only saw him 2-3 times before someone else came along. Appointments are scarce and I was told recently there are 10,000 patients waiting for appointments.

As I understand it, rheumatology at the Princess of Wales hospital in Ely comes under Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke, although Addenbrookes run the new imaging centre.

I am overdue an appointment at Addenbrookes but, out of the blue, have now received one but its for Newmarket hospital which is ok as I started out going there many decades ago. I believe Addenbrookes' Rheumatologists go to Newmarket and Saffron Walden, not Ely.

cuh.nhs.uk/our-services/rhe...

Joodee profile image
Joodee in reply toBoneyC

Thanks very much for the information. It seems like I need to do some investigating or be guided by a local gp when we register. Rheumatology appointments in my current area, Bournemouth, are rare too so I’m used to a long wait.

sylvi profile image
sylvi

If you live in Ely you will be under the hospital in Cambridge. Say hello to Ely for me as that is where i was born. xxxxxx

Joodee profile image
Joodee in reply tosylvi

Hello, thanks for replying. We really like Ely, I’ll give it a ‘hello’ from you.

Luludean profile image
Luludean

hi Joodee, we met yesterday in Scotdales , I hope all your plans go well!! You may remember I am in Cambridge , if you want to meet in Ely or Cambridge to get to know the towns , contact me. Good luck with all your queries and decisions. L

Joodee profile image
Joodee in reply toLuludean

Hello, thanks very much for contacting me. It was good to chat yesterday and I’d love to meet up when we are in the area next. Thanks again.

Luludean profile image
Luludean

Great , vontact me when you are back. L

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