Can anybody recommend a GI in UK

Had a number in UK - London based have always been the best in my experience (particularly linked to St Thomas') ... I would avoid any linked to Lancashire NHS Trust (Royal Lancashire Infirmary particularly for sheer medical incompetence). Just my opinion though.

As a general rule, the best UK specialists work for the NHS and also in private practice. I would actively avoid any that are solely in private practice. A GP should be able to recommend locally if travelling once in the UK is not an option. Good Luck with the doc and your phd.

I would disagree with St Marks being the best. I was there for 6 years and it was rubbish for me. That said, it's probably very good if you know how to get the best out of it, which I didn't. But if you go along just automatically expecting first class treatment 'cos it's St. Mark's, you'll be bitterly disappointed. (I should add that I didn't go to St. Marks because it was the best. I went because I was born and bred in Harrow and it was my local hospital. I had no idea of its reputation until several years later.)

Anyway, I'd happily recommend my GI in Luton and Dunstable hospital - he does do private work in a different hospital. The area is an absolute dump, but it has the best GI I've had so far. If for whatever reason I leave my current hospital, I will try John Radcliffe in Oxford next - don't go to Stoke Mandeville whatever you do. The JR in Oxford looks like it has first class IBD facilities at least, though don't know anything about the GIs there.

No, Aylesbury now. Was in Pitstone before, which is equidistant between Stoke Mandeville and L&D - unfortunately I made the massive mistake of going to Stoke first. Stoke is practically on my doorstep now (give or take a mile or two), but I'll never go back there again. Anyway, I know St. Albans! Well, a little bit. I've been there 3-4 times - nice town.

My GI is Dr Matthew Johnson. Feels weird giving out so many names of places and people I don't normally give - practically feels like I've given out my full name, address and credit card details and that anyone can trace me now. Anyway, I don't know his reputation, but he's a very good doctor. For example, he's been using Remicade for years, whereas at Stoke they said I couldn't have more than 3 doses and then balked at giving me even that - absolute bunch of time-wasters. I also literally never saw my consultant once at Stoke, whereas I get to see Dr. Johnson pretty much every time.

My GI was Dr Max Pitcher at St. Mark's. Never saw Bjarnason wotsisname, but I don't even know if he was there at the same time I was.

I think it's your anxiety telling you that you need constant attention. I dunno, m8. I don't understand it, it's just not something I feel. Maybe because a part of me doesn't really care very much if this disease kills me after all I've been through. But I know it won't. Assuming nothing else gets me in the meantime, I shall live a miserable but normal lifespan - thanks Crohn's.

Which area of the UK are you moving to? It's a small country by world standards, but you still don't want to be travelling hundreds of miles just to see a GI.

Who told you that? Bonkers! There will be plenty of Hospitals and therefore GIs in private practice between Wales and London. Sign up with a local GP and ask for a recommendation and referral (private as you mentioned). That said you may choose to go to London ...

minnietoty said...
Duffle, thank you. But how can I sign up with a local GP? I'm not a UK resident. Could you please further explain this?

You'll have to wait until you arrive in Cardiff, then register with a GP practice. Search for local practices on google. My advice would be to find the practice with the shortest waiting times - you really don't want to be waiting 3-4 weeks for routine appointments if you can avoid it.

Once you've registered, make an appointment to see your new GP and he/she will refer you to a local hospital. If you need to go private, then specify that it must be a private hospital.

If it's any more complicated than this, then hopefully the receptionists at the GP practice can advise you. But as far as I know, the process isn't any different for people living in the UK but who aren't residents here.