I posted recently about my September hospital appointment being cancelled and re-arranged for March (What's up with the NHS?). I just spoke with the Rheumatology Dept's assistant at the Royal Free Hospital who told me that their clinics have been cut back and that rheumatology is no longer considered 'acute'. Sadly it didn't occur to me to ask him whether this just applies to the Royal Free or to the NHS as a whole. He did offer me a December appointment which had been cancelled and advised me to call him again in a couple of weeks in case there was another sooner cancellation. I was grateful for this, but shocked by what he told me about this downgrading of rheumatology, which was presumably driven by lack of funding. Could it mean an increase in people with GCA unnecessarily losing their sight if they have to wait 9 months for an appointment? If so, let's hope GPs have the gumption to tell them to go to A&E with a note saying 'Suspected GCA'.
Is rheumatology 'acute'?: I posted recently about... - PMRGCAuk
Is rheumatology 'acute'?
Hi Marijo1951,
I don’t know that Rheumatology has ever been “acute” in the true sense, it’s certainly always seemed to be a “Cinderella” and chronic form of illness. But it’s certainly not nice to have that confirmed. But realistically it’s rarely life threatening (like cancer of coronary problems) but it’s certainly life changing.
Plus of course, Rheumatology usually deals with those of a certain age (not always I know) and no government over the last sixty years has had the nous to realise that and prepare for it! They’ve all known there was a baby boom in the 50s and again in the 60s, and whilst they (both right and left) were happy to take our taxes they haven’t budgeted for our health in later life! Throw in selling off the family heirlooms and we’re in the state we are now!
I can whinge about it, I worked for various governments over a 30 year period, and no forward thinking anywhere!
The NHS is brilliant in emergencies, but something has to suffer for that it doesn’t have a bottomless purse. I’ve just has a TKR, absolutely fantastic job and treatment afterwards, but the waiting before made the last 2 years of my life very painful and expensive (private physios, osteopathy, etc), and that expense is continuing because bad knee caused problems with other hip - which now has to be treated.
But at least we do have an NHS - many don’t.
So true about lack of forward planning in government departments. Between us OH and I have worked for several.
How about opening a new school that has already had 'temporary' classrooms added in the grounds. You're telling me they didn't know how many children had been born.
Permission to build new houses but not a sewerage plant........aaaaahhh!
The list is endless.
Yes and what what makes it even more ridiculous is they have experts in demography!
Even an idiot could work out that if the birth rate rises in one particular year, then between 4 to 18 years on there’s going to be a need for extra schools etc, etc.
Define expert!
OH was IT expert but when they wanted advice they called in private 'experts' or consultants for huge ammounts of money.
They obviously didn' t know the system so they asked him as often as not. Just imagine how much money could have been saved, they charged £1000+ each per day and that was 10 years ago.
On one occasion the CONsultants didn't have the necessary training to do the job so the MOD then paid for them to train. They then qualified for a higher rate of pay. You couldn't make it up.
Multiply that by the no. of days in a year and the no. of goverment departments and that's where our money goes.
I know you must have seen it too cos you worked for the MOD as well.
Yep I did!
My husband’s explanation of expert - “ex” - a has been; “ ‘spert” - a drip under pressure! Not original, but nevertheless.......🤨
So, apart from all the pain and inconvenience to you for a couple of years, you now require another operation which might not have been necessary if you hadn't had to wait so long for the first one? Haven't they heard the expression 'false economy'?
No hopefully don’t need another op! Hoping the bursitis can be ‘cured” by physio, acupuncture and me be able to walk correctly on operated knee!
I live in hope...if not expectation!
Good luck with it all.
Spot on DL in the real world as usual. Worked in big companies early on & you can see it going all tits up! NHS ! Too many asks! Big problem! Would include myself on that one! Hope the knee is getting better.
Coming along nicely ta!
Rheumatology per se isn't acute - unless it is GCA when it is a medical emergency. Emergencies need a PHONE CALL by the GP to the department- not a routine referral - and a referral letter typed immediately and pressed into the patient's hand who is told to get to the hospital, do not pass go. Some hospitals have got fast-track clinic spaces for GCA - totally independent of "choose and book" or any other crackpot scheme for appointments.
But it all relies on a GP recognising GCA and getting their act in gear. Not to mention the teenager in A&E...
You're right. I first saw my GP in April last year and had my first hospital appointment on 31st July. Fortunately for me the GCA didn't affect my eyesight, but I wasn't very impressed by my GP who obviously knew nothing about GCA or the need for urgency.
I was fast tracked - goes electronically from GP at our surgery - sent at 5pm got a call first thing next morning diagnosed and on pred. Office working hours only reason had to wait overnight, was told if vision worsened overnight to go to A&E.
Exemplary. It should be like that for everybody.
I waited 9 months for my rheumatologist appointment to come through.I don't have GCA.It was so worth it though because he was kind and made me feel hopeful and positive that this crazy journey on pred/pmr will improve and I will be well.
Yes, a sympathetic consultant makes all the difference. I've been very lucky with mine too. However I think 9 months is far too long to wait even if you don't have GCA. PMR is absolutely crippling and nobody should have to suffer the pain and stiffness for that long. I can't imagine how those who have to go to work are able to manage in those circumstances.
I've just read your profile Sandradsn and see that you actually were working 50 hours a week for some time after you first became ill. Well done you and make the most of your retirement.
Yes I'm so relieved to have finished work! It was hell there for 2 years! Change of boss,such long hours,stroppy patients,staff trantrums etc.No wonder I got ill,I'm so grateful everyday that I've left!
I had 5 years. Not for want of trying either. And I continued working - although luckily i was freelance and worked from home. No commute!
Blimey! I know I'm too feeble to have survived all that...
2.5 years to see a rheumatologist in Northern Ireland - my GP marked my referral as urgent and I was seen in 3 months Marijo1951
I'm starting to see that I've been lucky...
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