Is anybody near Havering or London wide?

[Eeyore1lucky]

Hello. I live in Havering and am under a consultant in Romford. However I’ve been told that I cannot see the DSN at the hospital due to them not treating people in Havering. I am suffering from diabetes distress and do not know where to go for help. I asked my GP to refer me to long term condition psychology but I think the referral has to come from diabetes teams. Thank you

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Ask your GP to refer you to a hospital who will see you (at least virtually)?

(It's not that unusual for people with T1 not to be regularly seen by DSNs. I'm not any more. But if I need to see one, I can.)

 

[Inka]

I thought there was also an option to choose hospitals for referrals. I’m not sure if that’s correct but I thought I’d seen it mentioned. @everydayupsanddowns might know.

When the hospital said they didn’t see people from your borough, did they tell you which hospital did? If not, you could maybe ring them and ask. It shouldn’t be this hard and I get your frustration.

@Bruce Stephens Are the DSNs you speak to at your local hospital or did your GP have to refer you to get you access to them?

 

[Becka]

That sounds like my general experience of the N.H.S. in London. Yesterday I had to go to the hospital for my fortnightly rheumatology blood tests, which includes a renal profile. Then I got the bus to the local blood test centre so I could provide a renal profile for my G.P.

I have no idea why my originally referral was to a rheumatologist at hospital in a different borough, but it means the blood tests cannot be shared. And the same for other services. When my rheumatologist found inflammation in my lungs she could refer me to their chest clinic, but for inflammation in my feet she had to ask my G.P. to refer me to my local health trust.

Ironically, my closest hospital is in a third borough, which also sees local referrals and is where A&E patients are sent.

So "not treating people in…" is annoyingly how the system works. However, presumably you mean Queen's Hospital? Which is part of the N.H.S. local trust for Barking, Havering, and Redbridge and is the local hospital for Romford, so how can they not see patients from Havering? Especially when they are already treating you! That does not sound right.

Things I would suggest to try, contact the P.A.L.S. service at the hospital. They should be able to explain the situation properly, and if what you are told is wrong help you get a referral.

Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) - Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) -

www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk

As the problem is distress, you can self-refer to the local I.A.P.T. service, which though not specialized in diabetes may be able to help more generally with coping strategies.

Havering

Havering Talking Therapies is a free NHS service for adults registered to a Havering GP experiencing difficulties with their mental health. If you are experi...

www.talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk

And in my borough, the Single Point of Access service takes direct referrals from patients regarding their mental health and refers them to the appropriate service, including ones specialized to specific conditions. It is not clear from the page whether that is the same in Havering, or they need to be clinical referrals, but it may be worth contacting them to see if they can help.

Single Point of Access (SPA) Havering

www.nelft.nhs.uk

 

[Grannylorraine]

I live in Thurrock, so neighbouring Havering, having previously lived in Harold Wood. I really struggled to get any help in Havering, but possibly due to being type 2. Since moving to Thurrock I have been under a specialist diabetes team, seen a dietician and altogether a whole different approach to diabetes management and help available.

Not sure if this is any help to you, but my diabetes team are in Orsett and Thurrock Community Hospital, so could you see if they could refer you there even though it is out of area. Pretty sure there used to be a diabetes team at King George's Hospital as I think their office was right by the restaurant.

My only advice is just keep pushing your GP, I know easier said than done.