For those members who live in Wales in the U.K.

[John_Mills]

Have you experienced problems getting referrals to other hospitals in Wales?

Have you experienced problems getting a cross border referral to England to a multidisciplinary vasculitis Centre in England?

Please leave any appropriate replies below.

[Chipper03]

My answer is not a straight yes or no.

In 2009 after diagnosis I went privately to a consultant in England, for a second opinion, but it wasn’t to a vasculitis specialist multi disciplinary clinic. The consultant was suggested by my consultant at the time. Not very helpful as it turned out.

Much more recently, at my last phone call with respiratory consultant about 5 months ago, I asked for a referral to a vasculitis specialist in England for a full review, and I was really surprised when he agreed. However, it still hasn’t been done…….he asked for repeat blood tests but didn’t send the form for 2 months. I’ve had the bloods done and have tried to contact to find out the status of the referral, got his secretary once but she’s not let me know how things stand at the moment.

After all these years, and having much more knowledge now, I suppose I’ll start the process to go privately. Sadly I have a very low expectation that the NHS will send me. Not sure how the bloods data works though when people go private.