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Date: 26.04.2015
From: Kate

Subject: Lack of on call rheumatologists at weekends

My daughter spent 6 hours at a local hospital following an arthritis flare up resulting in a badly swollen knee.we were told there was no rheumatology doctor on call and to cap it off the orthopaedic doctor had to aspirated her knee at the same time apologising as he couldn't give her a steroid injection as there wasn't any available in the hospital at weekends.they apparently only have it available in clinic which is only open Monday to Friday.feeling sad for my daughter who is in pain and very frustrated and angry at the lack of adequate weekend rheumatology provision. This is not the first time this has happened. Has anyone had a better experience .
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Date: 26.04.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Lack of on call rheumatologists at weekends

Hi Kate, I have a pacemaker and I was unwell feeling faint dizzy and generally unwell. I asked could it be my new pacemaker the reply was "I'm not from cardiology and there is no one here". He didn't know anything about pacemakers so took bloods and told me I hadn't had a heart attack. Well that was good news but was my pacemaker working correctly?
I really should of reported it. When I had my pacemaker read checking to see if it was doing it's job the technician assured me it wasn't my pacemaker. We had a chat about it lots of questions and the pacemaker technician and myself came to the conclusion it may of been effects from my flu jab.
I know I have rambled on a bit but week-ends are very hit and miss we get sick 7 days a week so it really needs sorting.

Having said all that were would we be without them?
Best wishes to your daughter and as a Mum I know how you feel. No matter how old our children are we hurt for them.
I hope your daughter is pain free soon. xx
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Date: 26.04.2015
From: Kate

Subject: Re: Lack of on call rheumatologists at weekends

My daughter intends to send a letter to the CEO of the hospital concerned but it will be a constructive letter. She actually works as a senior manager in the nhs and part of her role at her trust is dealing with patient experience and feedback so this is something that She is very passionate about ,not just from her own perspective but for other patients as well. It will now mean another trip to a&me tomorrow morning in the hopes of seeing her rheumatologist and time off work. If she'd had her cortisone injection yesterday all this could have been avoided. She knows from past experience that 24 hours after a cortisone injection there is a massive improvement. Plus the longer you leave joint inflammation the more likely you are to get long term damage. By the way I'm an ex nurse and midwife ,so this really is something I'm passionate about. I agree with you that the nhs should be a 24/7 service and that should include all specialist areas having weekend on call cover .
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Date: 26.04.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Lack of on call rheumatologists at weekends

Hi Kate, it is good that your daughter will know exactly what to say and where to take it. I hope it will help her in the future and everyone else of course.
I have cortisone injections and I know how much pain they can reduce. I did not realise they don't keep it at A&E seems a bit daft considering how many of us need it at a drop of a hat.

What a fantastic career a Midwife bringing all those precious babies into the world. My goodness what a special lady you are.

Take care both of you and as I said I hope your daughters pain subsides soon. x
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