referral to CMAT?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi Everyone

I had a phonecall from my Dr yesterday to say that rheumatology have moved my referral to the CMAT team - pressure of waiting time (or too many patitients or something) I just wondered had anyone else had experience of this?

Apparently it stands for Clinical Musculoskeletal Assessment and Treatment, and my NHS trust use this now.

If you have experience, what can I expect?

Thanks everyone, have a good weekend and gentle hugs to everyone biggrin

2

Hi PiliPalaB4ch

Unfortunately, I haven't, but would be interested to see how they differ to a rhuematologist?

Please keep us posted on your findings.

Gentle hugs and take care wink x

3

Will Definitely share my findings here. I haven't had a date yet, apparently a letter is in the post!

thanks for the hugs Bee, I need them today, struggling between severe tinnitus, itchy skin and the usual pain- must be the change in weather again!

gentle cwtshes (hugs but what we give in Wales) to you too. 

4

Gosh, sounds like a new NHS service. Yes please report back after your appointment, I will be interested to hear. Butterfly hugs to you. Jeanne xx

5

It's a cop out, making sure they don't breach the eighteen week rule! You will be seen by a Dr, damn I can't get the name, it's a GP who specialises in a particular area. They will assess you then do another referral to either Rheumatology or Orthopaedics. (GPSI that's it GP with special interest!!). It is literally to keep lists down and not breach waiting times!

hugs to all, have a great weekend

6

I guessed it was something to do with waiting lists. It will be interesting to see what happens as a result of this! 

You have a good weekend too

7

Thanks Jeanne - will let everyone know what happens! 

8

Yes I have an appointment with them in July. GP explained it to me that they now have to use this service which asses the problem and refer on from there. I think they are actually more qualified than a gp to decide what next action is needed. I think they have the power to refer for scans or physio etc and also give excercise and lifestyle advice.

9

Thanks Charlotte please let me know how you get on, I haven't had my appointment yet, so I don't know when this process will start! 

10

It's like a pain clinic, they usually have first hand experience with fibromyalgia. They will talk about pain relief and. ind over body, exercise and even diet, I really enjoyed going because they understand what I was going through and lots of people there had the same problems x good luck tiff

11

Thanks Tiff, that does sound positive, the only problem I have is that I haven't had an 'official ' diagnosis yet, and I think the Dr thought that would come from rheumatology. There is no doubt I am sure, that I have Fibro - but I need it official - work ect wise! 

12

I was diagnosed at pain clinic, and received a copy of the letter from the pain clinic doctor to my GP. So hopefully you will have a good outcome from your appointment when it comes. Jeanne xx

13

Thanks Jeanne, that sounds far more promising. I will see anyone anywhere if it helps! Gentle hugs (())

14

Oh bless you. Have a lovely day. xx

15

You are so right Shelagh - our local hospital sends out appointments within the 18 weeks only to send out another letter days later cancelling then giving an appointment 3 months after it.  Crafty eh!  Ihave had 14 cancellations and my other half has had 4.

16

I worked in appointments for six years, it is horrendous we couldn't win, they didn't give us enough clinic slots for people to be seen then we were in trouble if anyone breached. We got shouted at by everyone from patients to consultants, we had no backing from our managers at all. We had patients saying they were coming to bash our faces in, there was no security, the porters were supposed to do it but refused. I'm so glad I left !

17

that's awful.  No point shooting the messenger.  I feel sorry for anyone on the front line.  Joe Public can be incredibly rude - I know I work in retail and the times I am treated like dirt are increasing.  In my early working career I worked in criminal law and have to say the clients treated me far better than some of the customers I come into contact with. I think it is just a sign of the times nobody has any respect for anyone else. Do as you would be done by doesn't exist anymore.