Clinics in London, Oxford and Bristol
Hello, my name is Patsy Baker. Along with my wonderful administrator, Barbara, I run the very new Fibro Support Guys London group.
Very soon we will have our new website up and running so please watch this space. We intend to run monthly meetings so Fibromites can get together and listen to speakers from the medical profession, alternative therapists and so on, also lunch groups and whatever else you, the people with Fibro would like, where we can.
We will have a database where members can ask us to find them a buddy if they find themselves in difficult circumstances, i.e. finding you are pregnant with one other child and need to know how to cope or a secondary illness like sarcoid, we can look for another member who also has had that and can help you cope.
Also we have an information line where we can signpost you for various help needs i.e. where to go for this, where to go for that, Blue Badges, information on social services and where to go for benefit claims, finding an occupational therapists for helpful aids in the home and so on, or simply that you have had such a day you just need to talk.
We will be charging for membership from April 6th. Membership will include helpline and quarterly information letter but until then it is free.
Do watch this space for information on events/meetings and if you live in South London especially Lambeth and Southwark we would like you to get in touch with us so we can build up our mailing list and work out what is most needed first.
If you require a referral the good news is that you can ask your GP for an NHS referral to see Prof. J Davies at the FMS CFS and ME Clinic in Rheumatology at Guys Hospital, London. The waiting list is around 18 weeks within NHS Guidelines. The bookings clerk will then, in turn, send you the date and time of your appointment.
If your Dr requires you to use the 'Choose and Book system' it is vital that the referral letter states Prof. J Davies, FMS CFS and ME Clinic in Rheumatology also.
The normal procedure at your appointment is that any prescription needs you might require will be asked for by Prof. Davies by letter for your GP to write a prescription for you, once your GP has received the letter.
Medications are charged at NHS rate per item or by prepayment scheme - please ask your pharmacist about this.
There is a comfy waiting room at Guys Hospital which is a short walk from London Bridge station mostly under cover. There is a restaurant in the Hospital basement and a coffee stand in the main entrance that sells snacks. London Bridge offers a selection of food retailers on the mainline level and on the tube level there is an avenue of seating coffee and snack stands with quality food selections. Also Starbucks and McDonalds, etc., on the walk to Guys.
If you are coming by car, like most hospitals there is very limited parking, although there is a NCP park quite close by. Also when in the Guys area you need to pay the congestion charge, which is quite maddening.
I hope you get on well with your appointment seeking. Please contact me again if you have any other difficulties and let me know your appointment date and time. I do my best to meet and greet patients at the clinic when I can so I will look forward to talking with you then.
There is a very helpful book available about fibro called: "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofacial Pain Syndrome a survival manual" - ISBN 1-57224-046-6 written by two American physicians, Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland. New Harbinger Publications. This will be in stock shortly, price on application.
And alongside this is a very good DVD: "Show me where it hurts". In stock soon - I think it is £12.99 plus post and packing.
Let me know if you need any more help. I'm at the clinic meeting and greeting patients all day Mondays, email me or call on the numbers below.
Email: fibropatsy.guyslondon@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 07726 10 88 33 or 0208 650 7698.