Cuts and Changes to Derm Services.

[nickystaylor]

Oh this is right up my street. I have been ranting about the delays in my UVB treatment for ages. Dermatologist referred me to the day unit at St Thomas' in March, so far no treatment, just letters telling me they are putting back my appointments. I have two letters in front of me now about this and the number to call is constantly engaged... I wonder why!

I feel sorry for the front line people who have to deal with the seriously peed off people like me.
[/quote/]

Odd that you've had to wait quite so long and hope that's not a sign of what might happen to me! I was referred from Guys to St Thomas' day centre for UVB treatment in April. My appointment came through for June 14th (which I thought was quite quick really), I am on holiday then so I called them to rearrange and couldn't get in then until the 12th July as the derm only does the clinic on a monday morning once every 2 weeks! Still by those standards I've not had to wait too long for my rearranged appointment. Hope you manage to get through to them soon & can get in much earlier.

When were you originally referrred by your derm? I might use this as ammunition if I ever get through to them on the phone (anonymous ammunition of course). It seems hugely unfair!

It does seem hugely unfair! You might expect it if we were talking about different hospitals in different parts of the world but to be talking about the same hospitals seems strange. Originally referred by GP to derm at Guys in March, got an appointment through for April 26th. At appointment on April 26th derm at guys agreed UVB treatment was way forward and referred me to derm at St Thomas' for inititial assesment and then the UVB treatment, got my appointment through from St Thomas' for June 14th. As I said I am away on holiday then so called to rearrange - got through first time - and changed the appointment to 12th July (which was first available one because derm does ridiculously few hours!!) All seemed pretty easy for me - sorry you're having so much trouble. The only other factor that may have been taken into consideration, although I can't see  it, is the fact that my wedding is coming up and all the referral letters mention this. Hope you get sorted soon.

[damo2k]

I have emailed Andrew this morning.

I attend Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Dermatology department, and this morning i attended my PUVA session to find out that Huddersfield Dermatology is imminently shutting down and moving to Halifax.

OK for me - as i drive, but still an inconvenience for many.

[Blueboi08]

Hi all, I'm new here and this is my first post, I'm currently an in patient at broadgreen hospital in Liverpool under dr parslew whom is an excellent dermatologist, I'm currently on infusion of flix which was working quite well until about 8 weeks Go and I had a flare. I'm on dith at the moment trying to get under control. Ok enough background, the reason for the post: as an in patient you expect a certain level of care, although I cannot fault the staff for anything, management in there infinite wisdom have decided to close the ward at the weekend and send people home at three on Friday and re-admitting on a Monday. Now for someone like me, I cannot go home and self administer dith as there are parts of me I just cannot reach, and I imagine being elderly trying to put creams on like dith must be a nightmare. So now instead on a poss two weeks in hospital I face five because the two day miss is not just a miss it's almost two days back, all for costcutting, even the staff here are disgusted. We as patients are trying to resolve this but just don't seem to have a voice, were just not sick enough ....

[dobbin]

Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester has lacked the services of a Consultant Dermatologist for several weeks.
For many years they employed two dermatologists, until earlier this year one left to practice in Australia.
I understand that the other Consultant Dermatologist has also moved to Australia to continue his career.

So what is going on?  Have these consultants cured all the sufferers in Dorset or do they see better prospects
for promotion in sun-blessed Australia?  Or is our local cash-strapped hospital saving money to help pay extravagant
salaries to incompetant managers.  In such circumstances will we ever attract a qualified dermatologist again!

My GP is not authorised to prescribe various drugs which could benefit patients suffering from psoriasis.
Are we heading for a total breakdown in facillities?

Dobbin

[racheld]

Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester has lacked the services of a Consultant Dermatologist for several weeks.
For many years they employed two dermatologists, until earlier this year one left to practice in Australia.
I understand that the other Consultant Dermatologist has also moved to Australia to continue his career.

So what is going on?  Have these consultants cured all the sufferers in Dorset or do they see better prospects
for promotion in sun-blessed Australia?  Or is our local cash-strapped hospital saving money to help pay extravagant
salaries to incompetant managers.  In such circumstances will we ever attract a qualified dermatologist again!

My GP is not authorised to prescribe various drugs which could benefit patients suffering from psoriasis.
Are we heading for a total breakdown in facillities?

Dobbin

Do you live in Dorchester? I grew up there and my parents still live there. I use to attend the derm unit at DCH when it first moved to the new hospital from the old site.

DCH are financially struggling and I know that they were looking at moving some services to Poole which is 30 odd miles away.

[dobbin]

Hi Racheld

Yes, I live near Dorchester and I have heard that dermatology is not a favourite at this hospital because it fails to generate eneough income.
Whatever that means. Travelling to Poole may well be possible for some patients but very difficult for others.  Who would be prepared to make
that journey three times per week for UVB treatment, for instance?

I wonder why Poole can afford this luxury if Dorchester cannot!

[littleh]

Hi All,

I am new on here, but not new to psoriasis or dermatology depts at hospitals in S/SW London. I used to be at St Thomas', then to Guys, then to St Georges and then moved to the St John's Therapy Centre in Battersea and today was told that they are cutting back the list at St J's so I have to go  back to St George's which is impossible for me, which is why I moved to St J's. Now, I think the only thing for me to do is get referred to Chelsea and Westminster, which I know from previous experience will take me ages to get an appt at as they are really full.

FYI the reason I have moved in the past was trying to be at a hosp near to where I worked/lived as often having to visit up to 3 times a week for light treatment etc.

Hope this information is useful to the discussion.

H