The NHS web site says patients can choose consultant. I asked GP if she could refer me to a consultant who knew a lot about GCA and she waffled that they were probably all much the same! Singr posted yesterday that funding had to be found for him to see rheumy of choice which doesn't look like a right to me. Is this something else thats been stopped quietly or is the web site out of date?
Anyone managed or failed to change NHS rheumy recently?
My Rheumy is in a different area but I had no problem getting the GP to refer me to him on the NHS, possibly because I had already tried 2 local ones who were useless!
Not recently but 2 years ago with very little fuss to a different town - from Sheffield to Leeds, purely based on Dr Mackie’s reputation in our field.
I wondered if they were back tracking a bit too.
Hmmmmm? I had seen my Rheumy privately 3 times, before requesting an NHS Referral. When the Referral people called to let me know they had received the referral, I mentioned that I wanted to continue seeing my Rheumy. The guy was really nice and agreeable and advised that the request made sense and he would submit it. When I was approved, it was with MY Rheumy!
Hi,
Like lots of things, it’s down to finance I think. You can see any Rheumy in theory, but in practice if your health authority has to pay for you to see someone in another authority they may not be prepared, or indeed able, to fund it!
My GP said a few months ago, why don,'t you try another rheumy, you are entitled to......so methinks you can......can't be one rule for me and one for you can it!!
Thanks everyone I shall push harder!
Hi
Due to NHS cuts all GPs referral have to go to a panel to decide if referral is necessary or if their is something else that could be offered.
Could this have something to do with it ?
Scotland is totally different from England anyway. You don't have a right to see who you like there. Possibly the same in Wales as it is also separate governance. It really isn't a "national" health service.
In England in some areas have introduced a panel triage system for first referrals to decide whether the GP has got it right and a rheumy is needed - so that depends on the quality of their referral letter. Not sure about other specialities. I suppose it is fair enough where people come from all over to see someone like Sarah Mackie and then the locals can't get appointments.
Fluctuating Prednisolone dose 
Just back from my first Rheumy Appt
Consultant wants me to taper quicker
After 11 months I've seen a Rheumatologist!
leflunomide or mycophenolate
