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Chronic illness and A&E question

12 replies

daisiessandbuttercups · 20/08/2026 21:50

I’ve had Crohn’s for many years, attending a regular clinic at hospital A so I’m known to the team. This is in London. The clinic has caused me far too much stress over the years, takes ages to get them to listen etc, and I want to cry at how much they’ve put me through.

I know someone who’s been treated at hospital B, run by a different trust, who’s been treated amazingly well and I’ve been impressed with the care. I visited them while they were in hospital and was amazed by the difference. It’s only a few miles away and the hospital in general has a good reputation.

If I was to turn up at A&E at hospital B, would they agree to help me or would they just send me back to hospital A on the grounds that it’s a specialist service? I’m becoming increasingly unwell and have only been admitted as an inpatient once before, at hospital A and it wasn’t great, but I think I’m about to have a serious problem.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 20/08/2026 21:54

That’s not what A+E is for though.

daisiessandbuttercups · 20/08/2026 21:55

I was admitted through A&E last time when I was in a lot of pain.

OP posts:
daisiessandbuttercups · 20/08/2026 22:03

A lot of people with Crohn’s go to A&E. It isn’t an unusual thing to do.

OP posts:
nrp2 · 20/08/2026 22:06

They'd likely treat the immediate issue and then pass you back to hospital A for ongoing care.

nrp2 · 20/08/2026 22:08

However it may be worth exploring right to choose as I believe that can cover things like this (I'm not totally clued up on it for things outside of ADHD/Autism)

CoffeeCup14 · 20/08/2026 23:06

I think they'd treat your immediate issue, but you'd still be under your normal clinic for regular management.

It's definitely worth asking if you can be moved though.

blossomsnow · 20/08/2026 23:08

They'd treat you for the immediate issue if it needed an inpatient stay

If you were discharged I think they would refer you to your normal team but if you want to switch hospitals you have the right to ask to switch

In my experience though care can differ hugely within the same hospital sadly

daisiessandbuttercups · 20/08/2026 23:38

I have been thinking about switching hospitals but unsure how to go about it. I’m so unhappy at the moment.

OP posts:
Sparrowsandbudgies · 20/08/2026 23:42

I have a similar condition. You can request a second opinion via your doctor and ask them to refer you to the second hospital as long as it’s within your catchment area - if it isn’t you can ask for a second opinion from a different consultant at your usual hospital. If you turn up at an and e at the different hospital they will treat and stabilise you but you won’t get ongoing treatment from them. They’ll expect your current hospital to do that.

Sparrowsandbudgies · 20/08/2026 23:42

Soontobe60 · 20/08/2026 21:54

That’s not what A+E is for though.

If Op has an issue with Crohn’s that needs urgent care that is exactly what a and e is for.

oviraptor21 · 20/08/2026 23:42

You can ask your GP to refer you to hospital B (or another hospital) providing they offer treatment for your condition.

BridgetoHealing · 21/08/2026 00:38

@oviraptor21 That’s exactly what I did. I had my treatment in another county. I knew the area because I used to travel there for work sometimes.

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