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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/1/2010
Posts: 6
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Hi
Having had a really bad experience at my last but one Consultant appointment, I decided to look up a few other consultants to see if there was anybody out there that might be interested in taking a look at my case. I've been diganosed for 7 years now had both knees totally replaced and tried numerous drugs and my disease is not under control..maybe 40%. I live in Bournemouth and am seen at Christchurch Hospital, so looked at Southampton and came up with a Dr Christopher Edwards, I asked my GP to write to him and hopefully refer me on the nhs, although I don't mind paying for a consultation if it's going to help.
Does any body know of this Dr Edwards either having seen him them self or know of anyone that has and that can maybe offer me an insight?
Many Thanks in advance
Moira xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Moira
Jenni's consultant at Southampton is Dr Edwards and she speaks VERY highly of him. I'm sure she will respond to your enquiry - or you could pm her?
Love Jeanxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hello!
Yes I see him at Southampton. He is brilliant. (not bad looking either - nor his reg who is dr mark edwards! LOL- eye candy should be on the NHS if you ask me..... )
He is very thorough, up to date and kind. He will not take anything as read and will do his own range of tests to check and re check dx, discusses treatments with me on a wave length that is appropriate (I like to be fully up to speed with the drugs, how they work, why they could be a good thing etc- but some people just want to be told what to take and he respects that if this is what you want.)
If there is a drug or a need that you have he will fight for you but being honest here, some of their communication systems in the hospital leave something to be desired but I would say that really, this is no different from other places, a good GP will chase them up and the nurses have an answer phone service and they will ring you back (promptly in my experience).
He is very prominent in NRAS and also in the Uk and international rheumatologist stuff. He does research and is starting a new study into early RA currently. BUT he is still interested in old hands like me. His dept won an award a couple of yrs ago.
On a personal level he has been very very good to me. Always professional, bright and forward looking and treats me, my family etc with huge respect and I feel he sees me as a partner in managing my care and condition which is RARE in my experience.
Follow up appointments now are a long long wait but he will over book if needs be, and they have an emergency clinic fridays with the Registrars.
I have also heard, through the sources in healthcare and elsewhere that rheumatology at Bournemouth leave a lot to be desired.
Hope this helps you- he does do private and NHS, I have only seen him on NHS- a first appt to see him should be quite quick as it is under target.
Hope this helps.
Jenni xhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/1/2010
Posts: 6
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Hi Jenni
Thank you so much for your positive response, I feel much better about seeing him now and hearing he is a bit of a dish too is going down well!!! What I didn't want to do was jump out of the frying pan and in to the fire so to speak!! I understand that I may have to wait a while to see him if he'll agree, all I want is for someone else to have a look at my case with fresh eyes and maybe if I'm lucky I'll get the right treatment. I've had 2 major ops and now have been told my hips will be next in the not so distant future, I'd like to stretch that out for a few more years as I'm only 48 and get a bit of life back for me and my husband. I'll let you know how I get on if I get an appointment.
Love Moira xx
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