Hi Becky

I was in a similar situation some time back now and was getting nowhere just like you, and also thought that if they had it too for just one day how different everything would be ! In desperation I rang the patients complaints department at the hospital and just told them how much I was suffering and just needed to be understood and calmly explained the situation, basically getting them on my side, if you see what I mean. Well it did work and an appointment was put into place quite quickly. You could of course consider changing hospital but thats a lot to contend with when you are feeling so ill.

Hope things get moving for you this week, thinking of you.

Julia x

Hi Becky
Sorry that you have had a bad service.

It's amazing the differing of hospitals/health care, I rang the hospital helpline and left message last week - they called me back a bit later in the morning and booked me in the following day for steriod injection and gave me xrays on my horrible hands & feet & one of my stiff knees.
The nurse saw thinks I have osteo in my knee, and will have a meeting along side other results of people's xrays midweek this week or next week.

I hate bothering the hospital, but following foot op in June and a flare up - I feel that I have had such an amazing service (feel awful for pestering the helpline).

Hopefully in a few months the methtrix may kick in!

It is a shame that the primary care trusts care differs in different areas, please keep contacting the hospital because they don't relise your pain.

Don't give up!
Keep in touch.

Jane
Xxx

I have problems as well in Hertfordshire. When I was first diagnosed 4 yrs ago the service was fine. The last 3 times I haven't received my 6 monthly check up and had to ring the hospital, to be told there was a backlog of x months. Last time I asked for a cancellation and got an appt within 3 weeks- although it was at a different hospital. ringing the help line is tricky as they only do days and elave a message but I can't have incoming calls so I'm back at work. Also my blood test results aren't always sent to my GP so I can't monitor them. My knee is getting really bad and although I had an x ray back in may, when I was told i would be contacted with the results I've heard nothing. I was just told to do 'some exercises' or cycle (haha!).

It really does vary- when I had to have a colonocscopy I had a choice of 2 hospitals. My usual one had a long waiting list but the other was short. I went for that one, suspecting that it maybe wasn't so good hence the short list but It was fine and I was really well looked after with a quick follow up- even though all was ok.

Hi guys still no luck in appointment really getting me down been waiting for my nurse to get back to me now over 4 days try again tomorrow , new week new phone calls x

oh dear becky this is not good,could you get your surgery to help as it really is bad practise,a lack of comunication here i think,me personaly i tend to go back to my gp and get him to send a letter about the problem and take it from there,i do tend to go to my gp alot if i feel let down at the clinic appts and he has always been a great help for my case,dont give up, any thing is worth a try,find out who the secretary is at clinic and speak to her or if the appt line can help,dorothy.

Hi had no luck with consultants secretary but rang my rhumey nurse and she couldn't believe what I was going through now got an appointment Wednesday at 10am , thanks to everyone for support but we shouyldn't be treated like this do decided I'm complaining officially as how many others is this happening too .so I will make a stand ...well may have to sit as my feet hurt lol x x

Well done Becky for sticking in there, and it's good news that you've got your appointment (although you've enough to go through with the RA without all that added stress).

Write down all the things that you need to talk to the consultant about so you don't forget anything important.

And as Dorothy says keep your official complaint polite, but you can be as blunt as you like here, it helps to get the frustration off your chest. If you'd like, I'd be happy to read it through before you send it, if you think that would help.

Sylvia xx

Good luck Becky - thinking of you - Sylvia xx

hi everyone, i was just reading through posts ive not been on for few days , it seems to be it doesnt matter where we live ( im in scotland) there doesnt seem to be enough rhummy nurses why is this im wondering, i had same problem phoning rummy nurse ive had RA for 5 years this was first time i felt i needed support as i was in lots pain, when i finally got through after days of phoning and explained how i was feeling he said i could contact my doc, i explained i would need to wait 2/3 weeks for apointment he said he was fully booked, i then asked how do i get apointment to see him he said i would be quicker going to doc, he doesnt give me much confidance in the service.

i then had to ask for apointment which he sent me out for 22/11/12 i dont see consultant till 1/1/13 last visit was june 12 , i hope someone somewhere will look at how many people have RA and lack of support there is all over uk, i used to think it was just north ayrshire where i live but seems its all over uk

we shouldnt need to scream shout write letters to be heard, wish there was someone to stick up for us all,

sylvia xxx

Hi Becky,
What a terrible story you have to tell, you need to be fit just to get anything done by the sound of it.
Some years ago we had a son who was dying from Multiple Sclerosis, he was 30 months from start to finish.

Well he too, or I should say me, was getting a similar kind of treatment to that you are experiencing, and a friend (now retired)
suggested I wrote to the Chief Executive of the hospital - I did, and what a change that produced.

No more being pushed from pillar to post, we got good service when we needed it.

As you probably know, the Chief Exec. it the top of the pile - over everyone, Consultant down.
So next time think about using him, I dread to think how I would have coped with your treatment, when you're ill
you are so vulnerable, you need people on your side not against you.

Good luck with your care.

Gogs