No consultant

[Jonathan1985]

Hi I’m under Queens hospital in Romford, my last appointment for June 2018 was cancelled as the consultation had left. I’m still waiting for an other appointment, when I phone up, they say they have not recruited an other doctor yet. Anyone in the same situation?

[Skypony]

Hi, I haven’t been in that situation but I can imagine. Perhaps worth asking your GP to refer you to another hospital with a bigger department? Might benefit your care longer term. In the meantime, presumably your GP can do your bloods so you’re still being monitored. Best wishes

[Jonathan1985]

Thanks for the advice

[Denise15]

Hi I’m just down the road in Chelmsford asked to be referred to dr oza gastroenterologist or that dept I was eventually referred to Addenbrooks Cambridge my experience was brilliant good luck

[Denise15 in reply to Denise15]

Sorry should have said Broomfield hospital Chelmsford

[Mary48]

I started my PBC journey at Oldchurch hospital many years ago but wanted a different hospital as the consultant did not give me confidence and I transferred to The Royal London and have been with the same specialist for 15 years. I can give you his name if you wish. I’ve moved to southend but still stay with him.

It may be worth just looking for PBC specialists in London, a few people I know go to the Royal Free and are really happy with their treatment there. It’s scare times when whole specialties disappear

[Jonathan1985 in reply to Mary48]

Thanks, I will try for transfer to the London hospital

[Sandymh in reply to Jonathan1985]

Jonathon1985

Professor Graham Foster is a very good Hepatologist at The Royal London, Whitechapel. The only reason I chose not to continue seeing him, is due to my problem of travelling on public transport, and car parking is difficult.

Sandymh

[Hidden]

HI Jonathan, It may help you to phone PBC Foundation before requesting you be transferred. I find it can be daunting to get the changes I need, and they (PBCF) will talk you through how you can best appoach this to get your care transferred. It is worth travelling to get the best care, and as Skypony mentions, if your gp can monitor your bloods you will be well covered in the meantime and maybe that could be continued if you are transferred a distance. Best wishes

[millieja]

I am with the liver specialist at Southend hospital. I am happy with his expertise

[Pinkcrush]

Hi, I'm in romford too and at Queens this happened to me you need to contact pals at Queens they managed to get it sorted, but it took a while, I reckon we had the same doctor

Ann

[Jonathan1985 in reply to Pinkcrush]

Thanks

[Sandymh]

Hi Jonathan1985

Could you not ask your GP to be referred to another hospital instead? If Queens is your local hospital, then you're not far from King George or Whipps Cross, Leytonstone. I see a lovely helpful Gastroenterologist at Whipps since my diagnosis of PBC in 2010. My appointments are never more than four months apart, in fact they were more frequent until this year. Hope you get to see someone soon.

Sandy.

[Hidden in reply to Sandymh]

I’ve never been to Whipps although it’s my local - but I’m glad to hear it’s ok... the parking and transport links are so bad for Whipps I prefer the Royal London.

[Jonathan1985 in reply to Sandymh]

Will do, thank you so much for your advice.

[Hidden]

Hi I’m quite close to you and my local hospital isWhipps X but I wouldn’t go there... I’d go back to the gp and try and get them to refer you to the Royal London - I just don’t think the out of town hospitals have enough experts - I see a Dr Marley.... or kings college has an amazing department as well but further to go. Royal London is right next to Whitechapel station.

Good luck

[Sandymh in reply to Hidden]

Hi loud. Can I ask why wouldn't you go to WX?

[Sandymh in reply to Sandymh]

Oops sorry. Auto correct changed louf to loud

[Hidden in reply to Sandymh]

Hi just wanted to go to a larger unit...my brother was transplanted at Kings but it’s so difficult to get to.. so I thought I’d try Barts and royal London - very happy so far Dr Marley seems to know quite a few of the kings team. They keep threatening to shut Whipps as well and I’m not going to king George’s or queens to awkward to get to from E11....

But I am glad you are happy there. Tbh most of the consultants work ina few places...

[Sandymh in reply to Hidden]

Hi louf. My Gastro liaises with the professor at Whitechapel when need be.

Apparently there are plans for a multi million pound redevelopment for WX hospital. Hope so as it needs it, particularly the maternity unit. Only a few minutes away from me too.

One of my son's had successful neurosurgery at Maudesly for epilepsy next door to Kings and was awkward to get to.

[Hidden in reply to Sandymh]

Well WX needs some money spent that’s for sure... I know what you mean re maternity- it’s not changed from when I was having my son 18/19 years ago...

Glad they are looking after you ok - I know there are several hospitals linked which is encouraging as per expertise. I am impressed by the services at RL - ultrasound, ct and endoscopy services are excellent in the new hospital.

[Sandymh in reply to Hidden]

Hi Louf. The Maternity Unit was completed in 1973. I had my 5th son there in 1974, and had another five in there up until 1988. So yes definitely needs replacing. They have built a few newer labour rooms, but seriously need to replace the old ones, and make them larger. Most of my many grandchildren were born there, with the next grandchild due to be born in there in March and a GT grandchild due July 😊

[liver-bird]

Hello - I am under Queens too. I have been seeing a Consultant Gastroenterologist as I also have coeliac. However I have elevated alpha feta protein which can indicate liver cancer so she referred me to Hepatology but I am still waiting for an appointment. Seeing this has made me think I should get referred elsewhere I think I will make enquiries as there is obviously a problem at Queens Hepatology. Good luck to all who need help and can't get it 😯😐

[Littlemermaid19]

Hi, I was in the same situation and wasn’t seen for nearly 4 yrs. I had appointments made and then cancelled and other issues meant I had to cancel an appointment Anyway I had blood tests every 6 months with my G.P and my liver function didn’t appear to be compromised.

I finally saw a new doctor yesterday and had a Fibroscan, lots of blood tests and need a bone density scan. He didn’t seem concerned about the lack of medical input due. So now I wait for my results......

My symptoms don’t seem to have particularly worsened however I also have other auto-immune conditions with similar effects eg fatigue, which is the one I struggle with most, so we will see. I hope you get an appointment soon. Thank goodness for forums etc. Good luck.