Royal Free Rheumatology Outpatients Appointment - how long did you wait to be seen?

[AliW]

[AliW]

I just wanted to post that yes there is a wait - if you are heading up there for an appt. be prepared as you will undoubtedly have to wait. The clinic sees patients from all over the country & the consultants are amazing so please go prepared to sit fr a while to be seen. No pateint is rushed through their consultation - these wonderful professionals take their time with you. I was there this week - & was shocked at how rude & impatient some patients were - hassling the poor nurses as to 'When will I be seen?' etc etc

A bit of advice if you do travel up there best just make arrangements for you child to be picked up from school for you - make sure your car is not left in a car park at home that might incur hefty chraged for a long unexpected stay. Take a drink & a sandwich with you - & a book to read . Anyway -we are privileged to have such experts looking after us - thank you to all the fab staff there.

[lollipop]

i waited three hours after appointment time,which i didnt mind at all. My only gripe is if they had told me i had enough time to go to the canteen for a drink and something to eat then i would have done so, my hubby and i had been travelling since 7.30 and ended up not eating till 5 pm. I did ask after an hour and a half waiting, only to be told i was next in. I wasnt there were at least 5 more in front of me, next time i will ask as soon as i get in if there is time for me to go get a drink etc or i will go prepared with food and drink

[Hidden]

I for the most part have been treated very well by the NHS. I had an op on my foot yesterday, and the care was wonderful. It never ceases to amaze me how impatient people can be when the staff are under so much stress. A nurse told me yesterday that since the Stafford hospital saga, they have to do even more paperwork which detracts from patient care.I have a lot of numbness tho which is worrying me, so will put a question up

[living-the-dream-ssc-ray]

Hi everyone - I totally agree ! I feel so blessed to be under the care of such professionals that I do not mind having a wait, as well as, it is a 12hour round day trip for me so I have to rest up for a few days beforehand and afterwards !

I have also gratefully appreciated that during the last 15 years of my seeing Prof Denton and co, not once have I ever been made to feel rushed or that they were rushing me out of the door due to them wanting to get through the patients list as quick as possible.

My experience of Prof Denton's clinic is that it is true patient care at its best from the medics, only to be frustrated by an appointment system which is overbooked and unrealistic !

I am so pleased that you all have a good, positive experience there also !

in between my appointments I do my best to feel good, living the dream and doing everything I can to surprise Prof Denton with my progress for my next appointment ! He gets so excited when he sees the hair growth on my arms - it is worth my dedicated self discipline with my skin care routine for the 6month duration in between appointments, just to see his excitement ! unfortunately I do not share the same enthusiasm about them, apart from I am encouraged by their presence as it indicates the skin cells are restoring themselves back to well being.

I have my Royal Free trip this week so I have already started preparing, mentally, and physically..... Living the dream x

[lollipop]

Being a nurse myself i know how hard it is so therefore try to be a patient- patient, i agree once in with the specialist you are never rushed out the door, going again on the 23rd and as i said earlier this time will go prepared.