POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: larkascending on July 19, 2011, 02:14:07 pm
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Hi, I just tested positive in Liverpool, at the GUM in the Royal Hospital. Can anyone recommend a GP in the area who specialises in, or has experience of HIV treatment. I'd like to register with a practice, and take a referral through a GP. The experience I had at the Royal has left me with little confidence in the attention I would receive there.
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Hi larkascending,
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Welcome to the Forums.
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This sounds like a job for Her Annship. :)
MtD
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Hi Lark, welcome to the forums.
I live in the Isle of Man but I go to the Royal for my hiv care. I was just there yesterday, in fact.
I go on Tuesday mornings every time and the doctors who run the Tuesday clinic are fabulous for the most part. I would suggest you try to switch your appointments to Tuesdays. My lead doctor is Professor Saye Khoo - he's great, I nicknamed him The Wizard of Poz. I don't know anyone who isn't very happy with his care. I've been going there and have been under his care for just over ten years now.
Once you have posted three times, we can exchange PMs and I can give you further details about the doctors in the Tuesday clinic. It's ok if you just post a couple shorties so you can get your post count up to three.
Hang in there, and lets' talk, ok?
Ann
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By the way, if you were at the Royal yesterday (Tuesday) and were directed to the women's side of the clinic, then you most likely did not see the doctors you will be seeing going forward. On Tuesday mornings, the women's side of the clinic is the general STI clinic, and the men's side is the hiv clinic.
Dr Khoo and another doctor I rate highly were both off yesterday, but the doctor I did see has recently returned after an approximately seven year absence while he was doing research in Africa and getting a PhD. I also rate him very highly and was very happy to see him again. His name is Maz Chaponda. I'm almost 100% certain he was the only hiv specialist around yesterday, so unless you saw him, you did not see a doctor you will be seeing going forward.
If you weren't there yesterday, then I'm not sure who you might have seen. Different doctors work different days there as many of them are also involved in research at the university. It really is a good hiv clinic.
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Thanks Ann!
I was there briefly last week, then again on Monday. This whole thing is very alien and strange to me, and I've not been sure where to start. My boyfriend pointed me towards this thread. He's being so supportive and proactive - I still can't get over the shock of finding out.
Do you know of any GPs in the Liverpool area that would specialise in HIV? I need to register with a new GP, and would really appreciate having a doctor I can trust.
I'll post a few more messages later, so i can message you.
Thanks,
Lark
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Hi Larkascending,
I don't think you'll find a GP in the country that specialises in anything. don't think you'll have any choice but to attend a clinic.
Leese
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Hi Lark. As Leese said, you probably won't be able to find a GP who specialises in hiv. However, you may be able to find one who at least knows the basics. You'll have to go to the clinic for anything directly related to hiv though.
As I live in the Isle of Man, I don't know any GPs in Liverpool. My GP here knows a bit, and I've been educating him over the years too. I usually get a letter from the clinic a few weeks after my appointment that I show to my GP to keep him up to speed.
You might ask at the clinic if they can recommend any GPs, and you can also ask at Sahir House (http://www.sahir.uk.com/). Tel: 0151 237 3989 - ask to speak to Steve Earle. He's a real sweetheart and very helpful too. I'd recommend becoming a member - you can get free massage therapy and counselling too. The woman who does the counselling is a very nice, compassionate woman. I don't know anyone who doesn't like her. The massage therapist is a wonderful woman too. Actually, everyone on the staff there are wonderful people. It's a great organisation, although their new location isn't as nice as the place they used to have on Rodney Street (lovely old Georgian town-house).
I'll be in Liverpool again next Tuesday and I'll probably be free from around 11am/noon to half five. We could meet for a coffee and a chat, if you like. We can set this up once you are able to PM.
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Thanks Ann,
I'll try calling. I'm not around next Tuesday, I'm afraid. When will you be over next?
I'll post a few more, then should be able to message you.
Thank again for all your help and advice.
Lark
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Lark, you've already posted enough and will now be able to send and receive PMs. I'll sent you one.