We have a consultant dermatologist appointment this Wednesday. It doesn’t seem to be the same person we saw last time.
I started making a list a few weeks ago about the things we want to ask about. I contacted the clinic to see if I could send in an update of our situation and some questions we wanted to cover in the appointment. I thought I could help the appointment fit the allotted time slot and prevent MyItchyBoy getting bored and fidgety (and in some cases, there are things we don’t want to talk about in his presence).
Although the receptionist acknowledged my best intentions, she told me that the consultant wouldn’t look at the file prior to the appointment anyway. Good-o. It’s not hard to see why these things can take months and months to move along to the next stage.
So, a different doctor, who has not read the notes before we turn up and a child-appropriate conversation in a duration that suits the NHS and a 4 year old’s attention span. Not my ideal appointment.
How I’d like it to go:
Firstly, I would like to be able to submit an update and some questions beforehand. That would mean we all start at the same point, the doctor has looked into some things for us and thought about MyItchyBoy before we get there. We all know us humans do our best thinking when we focus and concentrate – however good the consultant is, I can’t see that they can think too clearly with us three sat there.
Secondly, I’d like the appointment to be with not just a dermatologist but also:
Allergist
We have an appointment with the allergy consultant this March. Since most of MyItchyBoy’s eczema is triggered by allergens, it seems sensible to have the two consultants in the same room at the same time. Instead they are a couple of months apart in two different hospitals.
Pharmacist
Had an interesting chat with our friendly pharmacist who raised some interesting points. They know the medication we use and could use really well. They can shine light on why some work better than others, how long they should be used for, side effects, and so on.
Dietician
What about the dietician? Their intimate knowledge of food is useful to help the allergist identify potential triggers. And when the allergist tells us to cut something else out of MyItchyBoy’s diet, we can have an instant replacement suggestion, rather than wait another couple of months for another appointment.
The appointments are free, the prescriptions are free (MyItchyBoy is a child) so I can’t complain too much. However, I sometimes dream of having enough money to pay for my dream-team appointment – to have them all sit there until I am out of questions and feel equipped to manage MyItchyBoy’s situation for the next few months on our own.
Mel says
Oh my goodness, reading your story feels like reading our story… I am so glad I found your blog tonight. I will subscribe to emails right away! Mel, mum of an itchy baby girl
MyItchyBoy says
That’s so nice to hear – but not that you are going through the same thing!
So many parents seem to have the same experiences when dealing with eczema and allergies, sadly.
Allergybabe says
I very much feel for you and The Points you made are very sensible. Some allergy clinics are Run The Way you “Dream about”: First You are seen by allergist who has gone through your notes beforehand (The spt was already ordered, so i could Tell), then he/she decides if you need a dietician, The dermatologist or both at The Same appointment. So it Depends on The Management i guess. And, by The Way, The People, we all Pay for The NHS so it is ok to demand reasonable change. Good luck with your appointment. ALLERGYBABE
MyItchyBoy says
We are just unlucky I guess! We live between two hospitals that seem to share services, so only one has dermatology, the other has great paed services, but only for the allergy and dietician. Was interested to talk to the pharmacist too and realised that so much of eczema management is how you use the product and how to spot if it is not working, or something else is making the skin bad.