I recieved a letter this morning from our local health board informing me that I have a telephone review tomorrow at 13.30 with
"Clinician Mrs Tracy B Bxxxxx. General Medicine"
Elsewhere on the letter head it refers to this same lady as an appointments clerk. I'm not convinced that I wish to discuss my medical details with an appointments clerk which is what seems to be implied; or is this more likely to be an appointment about making an appointment . Whatever she is this lady doesn't appear to be a clinician, so why refer to her as one and if she is not a qualified medic or nurse what faith can I put in her ability to interpret /understand/ record things properly based on what I am saying. Anybody any thoughts about this?
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sennetta
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I am not sure that I understand your query. Is this related to your employment? Or is it a benefit matter. Or is it from your own consultant’s office. It could be a typo or some kind of sifting process for patients who need to be seen as a priority. Sorry, we need more info.
I was assuming it was benefits related review. OH had to have one about 3 years ago and the woman who was assessing him had no medical training at all!! I was livid that an administrator had even questioned my husbands disability. If this is a medical review then it should be done by a nurse or above
Oh no. I used to work for DWP many years ago. I didn’t realise that things had got so bad. We used to be critical of the fact that very elderly retired doctors did the reviews. They must have found too many people unfit for work and fit for disability benefits. It’s all cost cutting, with rigid questionnaires that don’t fit individual situations. It’s a disgrace really.
I know there are dodgy claims but it really affects the genuine ones especially when they person doing the questioning doesnt know a thing about medical conditions.
Nothing to do with benefits as am still working - I assume it's some sort of follow up for the dvt I developed after having my hip screwed back together in late November.
I am querying the concept of someone who appears to be just an appoinmtments clerk conducting the appointment which seems a bit weird. And when she calls I will, of course have no guarantee that she's who she says she is. So maybe I should ask her some security questions as she will almost certainly ask me some. Could have some fun with this!
According to Google this is the definition: MEDICAL APPOINTMENT CLERK. Schedules medical appointments and determines patient eligibility for services. It may be simply straightforward paperwork to satisfy the bureaucracy.
I don't like that 'determines patient's eligibility for services' phrase at all though.
Job Duties. In the health care facilities, such as doctors' offices and hospitals, unit clerks are responsible for maintaining the accuracy and security of confidential patient health records. They manage paperwork such as patient history forms, and admission and discharge documents.
That's how it's described so see what they say... gatekeepers 🙄
Had you had appointments with Rheumatology before?
Were you due for an appointment to monitor your condition?
Had the GP referred you or requested an appointment between your usual dates because of a new issue?
I can understand you have concerns , and you could double check the phone contact details from other paperwork and ring yourself in the morning just to check that this phone call had been arranged for security.
Appointment Clerks in various Departments do now have added responsibilities to assess not medical needs or make medical judgements but to double check certain details that the GP may not have included in their letters to make sure you get to see the right person.
The Department may need to assess which particular Consultant you need to see and on which day , sometimes only certain people with specific specialisms are only available on particular days.
For this reason Appointment Clerks will often phone you or get you to phone them to make sure you are seen at the closest place to you , at a time the suits your individual care needs , and on a day when any extra tests that might be required can be done after the appointment.
It helps to prevent delays , cancellations and need for repeated visits to get things done which makes things less stressful for patients and is more efficient for the Department itself.
Nothing to do with Rheumatology as I have never been referred to a consultant about PMR. Reading some posts on here - I'm quite glad about that! Can do without the hassle tbh!
I was discussing something similar here recently with my Pain Clinic specialist - physio appt making has been changed so that the referring doctor must indicate the urgency. Of course, they don't unless you are half dead and it now means there is a nearly 1 year waiting list to see a rehab doctor who decides if you are really in need of physio and how urgently! Then the wait for the physio appt starts, The clerks making the initial appointment don't have medical knowledge, it's not even an assessment with a physio. The doctors aren't amused - but there is little they can do. There are plenty of private physios, if I had the slightest idea who was good at what I want I'd happily pay the extra (I have a co-pay anyway) but how do you know?
From my own experience of NHS lots of areas are struggling. Maybe this is some bright new idea !!!
What I do feel is that the NHS needs to be funded better by all of us. After fifty years working we have been so grateful for the care John has received. Thousands and thousands of pounds and still it continues. The meds he is on are hundreds of pounds a week......
We need a government to take care of our NHS and soon. Ok rant over! I hope things go well tomorrow.
When I ring for a Dr's appointment (which is not very often), there is now a very long "information message" telling you how/when/why you should continue with your request for an appointment. Included in this is the instruction that the receptionist may (with the full approval of the GP) ask questions regarding why you think you need to see the GP. I am fortunate that I live very close to the surgery so I don't ring anymore, I just call round and they don't ask questions then!!
Have you had your telephone review? Was it with a Doctor or an Admin Person?
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