I have just read the inspiring story of Ailsa Boswell, joint chair of the Rheumatology Futures Project Group, who commissioned the research on patient access to multi-disciplinary teams. I have found her view of the lack of specialist services and poor clinical understanding about RA is true of my area in Scotland. Clinician care is not continued down to services like Occupational Therapists, Physios or anyone else.
My RA diagnosed as a young woman [I am now over 80] meant many years of pain but was helped by the drug hydroxychloquine.
What didn't help was being disabled with Osteoarthritis as well being born with dislocated hip joints - a completely different disease.
I get no help from OTs etc apart from that required to help arrange disabled adaptations to the house for wheelchair use. I had to go before a Council Complaints review panel, which I won. I am now stigmatized, and get no support for living with both serious diseases apart from the ILS fund I sourced with the help of the Centre for Independent Living many years ago.
Rapid Response:
Re: Rheumatoid arthritis
I have just read the inspiring story of Ailsa Boswell, joint chair of the Rheumatology Futures Project Group, who commissioned the research on patient access to multi-disciplinary teams. I have found her view of the lack of specialist services and poor clinical understanding about RA is true of my area in Scotland. Clinician care is not continued down to services like Occupational Therapists, Physios or anyone else.
My RA diagnosed as a young woman [I am now over 80] meant many years of pain but was helped by the drug hydroxychloquine.
What didn't help was being disabled with Osteoarthritis as well being born with dislocated hip joints - a completely different disease.
I get no help from OTs etc apart from that required to help arrange disabled adaptations to the house for wheelchair use. I had to go before a Council Complaints review panel, which I won. I am now stigmatized, and get no support for living with both serious diseases apart from the ILS fund I sourced with the help of the Centre for Independent Living many years ago.
Joan Appleton
Competing interests: No competing interests