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Cross Border Appointments – South of Scotland

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  • June 12, 2020 at 12:34 pm #188213
    Cross Border Appointments – South of Scotland

    Hi everyone I am posting on here as a member of the Scottish Council for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

    I am trying to gain opinions on patients who travel from Scotland down to Newcastle for appointments.

    My story is I have Becker and was originally from Carlisle which had Newcastle as its closest centre for appointments. Several years ago I moved to Lockerbie and maintained using Newcastle for appointments. I go to clinics they hold in Carlisle but also to the Freeman’s for my cardio myopaphy. I keep up doing this as its all the specialists that have known me since my diagnosis over there in 1988. But increasingly It has had issues which possibly stem from Newcastle having so many patents.

    I was wondering who on here does the same, travel from the Borders or Dumfries and Galloway and go to Newcastle instead of Glasgow and Edinburgh?. Why they do it? Would you prefer a service which is closer to them that goes to Dumfries and Galloway or the Borders? Is there an issue with Scottish services?

    Any opinions or ideas would be greatly appreciated :)

    :ty:

    Gale1983
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    June 12, 2020 at 7:42 pm #188229
    Reply To: Cross Border Appointments – South of Scotland

    Never been given the option to travel to England but am happy in the most part with the support I receive. I continue to have an amazing team of respiratory nurses and Respiratory Consultant who are the more active part of my care due to having Bipap. I do however travel cross health board to access the teams in one Hospital as I feel this offers better working together and the respiratory care better than my local hospital for MD lung conditions. My former now retired consultants tried for many years to create a Muscle Centre in Scotland but where unable to garner charitable or other key support. Respiratory, Cardiology, Neurology do continue in at least my case to work very closely together.

    Looking at what the Muscles Centres seem offer I do feel they would be beneficial to have in Scotland. What is dearly missing is access to Physio and the other therapeutic well being courses.

    Cat
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    June 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm #188230
    Reply To: Cross Border Appointments – South of Scotland

    Whilst I cannot advise directly about a Muscle Center in Scotland (although it seems an eminently good idea, I do wonder how long you will be able to go there before you hear the dreaded words “We have no contract with them”. This seems to be happening more and more. you mention the number of patients there already. One day someone will say enough is enough and stop you going. I need to see a dermatologist urgently. Been waiting around nine months now, but I cannot go to the hospital of my choice, which is only 25 miles away, as there is “no contract”. Patient choice no longer exists, and post Covid, you will be lucky to get any appointment. Start agitating now, before it is too late.

    Mike

    So many love songs, so little love.

    embayweather embayweather
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    August 14, 2020 at 2:38 pm #189119
    Reply To: Cross Border Appointments – South of Scotland

    Thought id try and come back to this subject as people who use Newcastle as an option should have some concerns with things such as if Scottish Independence happens. What happens then with services?. Some from Scotland have even been known to travel much further afield than Newcastle for treatments and care.

    Good to have a few response from folk its much appreciated.

    :ty: :wave:

    Gale1983
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