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Not just about Swindon but all the NHS

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"Not just about Swindon but all the NHS"

About: The Great Western Hospital

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I live in Wales but am looking after a relative near Swindon. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and have recently suffered an attack making it difficult and painful to walk short distances. On appealing to have my knees aspirated at three health centres, I have been told

a. I would have to wait 11 weeks if I registered as a temp patent for referral to a rheumatolgy department.

b it could not/would not be done at a doctors surgery because my records are not available

My question is , If I were from a European country, using my European Health Insurance Card would I have to wait 11 weeks to be refereed and would aspiration also be declined because on no records.

Should I have used my EHIC when asking for treatment?

I am left with the need to drive 140 miles to get treatment nurses say I need urgently or risk permanent damage.

I have found all the staff helpful but embarrassed by the system

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Responses

Response from The Great Western Hospital 11 years ago
The Great Western Hospital

Submitted on 18/02/2013 at 11:59
Published on nhs.uk on 19/02/2013 at 04:15

Thank you for posting here. Based on what you have said, it is an issue you will need to discuss with you GP in the first instance. Any decisions regarding referral into hospital for treatment are made by the GP before then being considered by us for a procedure. It's sometimes hard to get a full picture based on what is posted here but, given you have questions you clearly need answering, I would encourage you to make contact with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service at Swindon PCT as they will be able to answer your questions in more detail and provide you with relevant advice on what to do next. Their contact details can be found here: http://www.swindon.nhs.uk/your-nhs/PALS/Contact.aspx

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