Telephone assessment tomorrow

[Crashed]

Hi,

If anyone read my last post you will know but I recently got refereed to the Derm by my GP. I got a letter today telling me to ring a number tomorrow for a 'Telephone Assessment'. Anyone ever had this, I didn't have this last time (though that was about 3 years ago) 

Thanks

[arizona]

Wonder if thats something to do with costcutting?

[Crashed]

Wonder if thats something to do with costcutting?

That did spring to mind, hope this doesn't just delay things... I know how the NHS like to move you from one waiting list to another. This flare up is getting worse quite quickly, sleeping is very painful!

[Roger]

Hi,

If anyone read my last post you will know but I recently got refereed to the Derm by my GP. I got a letter today telling me to ring a number tomorrow for a 'Telephone Assessment'. Anyone ever had this, I didn't have this last time (though that was about 3 years ago) 

Thanks

Never heard of one of those, probably worth bullet pointing a few key bits of information that you want to get across in a crib sheet. Make sure you make it clear that it is causing issues with sleeping etc.

Good Luck

[arizona]

Agree with Roger, dont be wishing you'd mentioned things that you forgot during conversation. Thinking about the costcutting thing though, it may be they're trying a way to speed up the process to get an idea how bad you are before asking you to come in?

[Luvvi]

A lot of services now use telephone consultations prior to your first appointment.  Nowadays hospitals are getting tighter targets to meet with their referral to appointment to treatment so in order to meet these, particularly in a service where you might have a lot of information to share such as in Dermatology or Anaphylaxis/Allergy they will ask you to take part in a telephone questionnaire.  This practice gives very good results.  Patients are normally more relaxed (what can be more relaxing than sitting at home in your favourite armchair with a cuppa) and you have a lot more time to think than you would in a clinic appointment.  It means the consultant/nurse can decide what tests you might need when you  attend in person thus saving both hospital and patient's time. 

Hope it goes well.

[Crashed]

Thanks for your replies, Ill defiantly write down a few bullet points  - my mind easily goes blank - especially when being fired with questions lol!

[arizona]

Thanks for your replies, Ill defiantly write down a few bullet points  - my mind easily goes blank - especially when being fired with questions lol!

And dont forget to look at it 

[SallyD]

I had telephone apt with the Gastroenterologist, but it was a follow up not an assessment... I believe, that is so the consultant can get through the waiting list!!
I'd definitely make pointers for questions and a list of symptoms etc.
Good luck... S x

[Darren.]

A lot of services now use telephone consultations prior to your first appointment.  Nowadays hospitals are getting tighter targets to meet with their referral to appointment to treatment so in order to meet these, particularly in a service where you might have a lot of information to share such as in Dermatology or Anaphylaxis/Allergy they will ask you to take part in a telephone questionnaire.  This practice gives very good results.  Patients are normally more relaxed (what can be more relaxing than sitting at home in your favourite armchair with a cuppa) and you have a lot more time to think than you would in a clinic appointment.  It means the consultant/nurse can decide what tests you might need when you  attend in person thus saving both hospital and patient's time. 

Hope it goes well.

not wishing to poo poo the practise with good results .....but what about choice ? if someone doesnt want to talk over the phone ? to be honest i wouldnt like it, im useless on a telephone and esp when i have p in the ears i wouldnt hear them anyway  as in the past ive had that trouble on the phone