The snow was falling, roads clear so off I went, make sure I arrive with time to spare and expecting a 20-30 min wait. No such luck, straight in to see the doctor.
Told him about my aches in my shoulders and pain in my knees. He suggested I stay at 7mg for a while, I was going to tell him I was going to do that, but didn't need to.
He then gave me a form for knee x-rays so of to the hospital for me, another long wait, well we all know what hospitals are like don't we. Handed in my form, took a seat and time to wait. No such luck, just about to search weather warnings when called to the next waiting room. Okay, so here the waiting starts, you what it's like, people milling around and not doing anything. Well I was the third person called to the little waiting room, so I did have to wait for the other two to be seen and then I was in and x-rays taken. The walk to from the car can back again took longer than the waiting time.
Well after the hospital it's off to the chemist to get my prescriptions. Okay they didn't have enough predn for me, I can have what they have in stock, but I said I'll pick them all up on Monday.
Weather is poor, we have an amber warning in place with a red due in a few hours.
That didn't stop anything for me, the doctor was in and ready to see me, the hospital again fully open and doing what I needed really quickly. Okay the chemist didn't have enough predn, but then I have enough to keep me going, so that isn't a problem.
Well done to Parc Canol Surgery, Royal Glamorgan Hospital and Well Chemist.
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JulianJ
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Sounds like a snowy day is a good day to get medical attention!
Maybe others are heeding advice not to travel and have cancelled? Or maybe the thoughts that they’re poorly have been trumped by the snow.
Good news re sticking at 7mg. Nice when you don’t have to debate the issue and the GP listens. Good luck with the knee x-rays.
I can’t recall a time nursing that bad weather prevented me getting in. Wouldn’t have considered not going in. My DiL works at the local hospital, about 3 miles away, they were instructed to walk this week if there were no buses. Luckily the buses for her were erratic but still running. My son (travelling in the opposite direction) had no buses, so he walked the 5 miles to work and back yesterday.
Some of the buses going to the hospital are stopping soon.
But the hospital has a 4x4 that they use to collect staff.
It wouldn't be a nice walk, some people would be walking across a very open common.
I saw a post on FB asking if there where others that needed a lift, then they could arrange a single pick up point. We hear so much anti NHS that we forget how much they all put in, just so somebody can go to A&E with a splinter.
From me to everybody working in the NHS it's a big thank you.
....except when the admin staff don't pass the message on to the Admissions Team that I was out of country for 3 months, so back to the bottom of the list for knee surgery...but by the time it's my turn it should be better weather! No point getting stressed!
Well done them. Walked long miles in the 1960's snowy Winters to work. We were expected to get there! (Engineering apprenticeship.) Weather fears & propaganda news wise these days! Ahh! Different times!
Yes,I walked to school during 1962/3 winter, but as you say no choice really. No dire warnings of impeding doom, plus younger, fitter, more mobile, and more adventurous... was a novelty in Hampshire (where used to live)!
Conversations on those long walks. No staring into a tablet with earholes bunged up with wiring! Took concentration & stamina not slip on your arse. Clocking in 2 hours late. Got there somehow. That's what counted! Not much work done in the office though! It was the 60's after all! Somethings never change!
My daughter couldn't have got out of the street, it is 20 miles in opposite directions to either of the hospitals in the Trust she is a bank nurse for (there are no proper jobs at present where she wants to work) so a bit far to walk - the one she might have walked to is 5 miles, no buses, trains in a red alert, but she wouldn't have been paid - it is a different trust apparently. And she was struggling to stand up against the wind - she is a tiny little thing.
Wow Julian, It sounds like you've had a busy, if not exhausting, day already an it's not even noon! Good job you!
I, on the other hand, am still roasty, toasty on the couch with a nice, hot cup of tea and a belly still full from a late breakfast!
I'm only just starting to warm up, had 2 cups of tea, but it's a day off work, will just chill out now
Good to hear your positive experiences Julian. Think most work hard to keep the NHS ship sailing. It's the linking up bits that get to me stresswise. Usually system related etc! Could be a Napoleon complex or the pred. Ha!!
I have been lucky, but the wait for the x-rays is a pain! But I've had the pain for weeks, what's a little extra. I do have some Fenbid gel, wonder if that will work and yes I did check it was okay to use.
I use it sparingly for muscular stuff. I preferred capsaicin cream but they seem to have taken it off prescription at my surgery.
Even though drs went smoothly and you didn't have to argue your case I suspect you had the argument in your head since you booked it. I was frozen yesterday when I was dragged up the street by the dog and made snowballs. Tea and feet up sounds good.
I went out at 8.30 to the hospital to get bloods done. Normally a very busy time and can wait an hour or even longer but had to get them done and wanted them out the way. Got there one person in front of me and sat waiting probably 15 secs. Must be the quickest I have ever been. Obviously way forward if you don’t want a long waiting time lol 😂
Julian, always great to hear of a happy experience, especially following an appointment with a rheumy in a Welsh hospital where we often seem to hear of not such happy experiences! Unusual not to have to wait but I guess people have heeded the weather warnings and stayed away, plus, of course, it seems that loads of minor procedures are being postponed at present. I need to go for blood tests - perhaps today would be a good day after hearing of your experience! Hope you've thawed out and can spend the rest of the day in the warm, relaxing.
I have to say that I've had nothing but positive experiences from all the Cwm Taf hospitals. Dedicated and caring staff, working under difficult circumstances caused by headline-grabbing politicians! Rant over!
It's so good to hear of another positive experience. We have heard from other contributors from Wales on the different PMR forums in the past who have not had such happy experiences. And they probably grabbed my attention more as I originate from South Wales! I guess we are more likely to hear of the bad experiences as people just accept their good experiences and don't feel the need to complain. So well done for posting your positive experience and well done to those caring for you.
So good to hear about your positive experience. I feels like putting hashtags me too all over this site! Ive just had my telephone appointment with my doctor too - she is fantastic. I explained my two weeks of being st 15 coinciding with a dreadful cough, cold, conjunctivitis - you name it! She is keeping me on 15 for four weeks as I am feeling stiff in the usual places! And she agreed a blood test in three weeks and didn't quibble over my prescription for more amitriptilyne! I am feeling very supported by NHS! I ventured to Pilates am in snow and ice with much trepidation after last year's snowy ski break! Hope everyone is able to stay safe!
Amazing treatment by NHS in Rotherham a few weeks ago. We drove in told them his symptons and that he has lymphoma. Straight into a& e then intensive a&e. Then at midnight to intensive care. Everyone was absolutely amazing and we were allowed to be by his side while he was pumped with antibiotics, pain killers fluids etc. He had sepsis and they saved him. I am still overwhelmed by the skill and care they gave him.
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