The Diabetes Institute of Ireland (Beacon Clinic)

philten

Anyone attending the The Diabetes Institute of Ireland??

I am interested in seeing an endocrinologist on a private basis and was doing a search and came across this place.

http://www.diabetesinstitute.ie/PGShow.aspx?pgID=1

If anyone attends I would be interested in your experience. I am a pump user btw.

thanks,
Phil

GER12

See if the Diabetes federation of Ireland has any feedback.... or support groups that could advise.

graflynn

This place is like a dream come true, for me - I'd love to attend a place where all my "dude's" hang out and where everything goes into the one file.

One of the disadvanatages of getting private healthcare is the fact that you have to seek out all the "attached" medical professionals along the way, i.e. the dietician, podiatrist, etc.

However, there is no dietician listed as a member of staff but maybe the education person oversees that.

Maybe the Galway Clinic would set something like this up too - to help us people on the West.

A friend said to me last night; "if you knew of a place where the care was outstanding and it would make a difference to your life with diabetes, wouldn't you be willing to pay, as well as move the earth to get there".

kowloon

What exactly are the advantages of private?

GER12

Generally, quicker access to consultants for apts, quick admission if planned, if emergency admission - you can get shifted to ward alot quicker than a public patient whose waiting on a trolloy for day's - though this doesnt mean you wont be waiting either! Diagnostics - early apts - got referral to mri fri and had it done sat - wouldnt have happened if public unless it was an emergency....

graflynn

If anyone can add to this list, feel free. I actually don't think you get a better service just because you pay for it. Sometimes the public clinics are much better organised and have more resources but it's very hard to find this out in advance.

PRIVATE

Advantages

• In general the appointment shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes and mostly you are seen at your appointment time.
• You see the same doctor every time and this gives you the opportunity to build up a relationship.
• There is “some” flexibility when you make your appointment – it may work out a little more convenient for the patient.

Disadvantages

• Cost
• You have to seek out the other medical professionals (such as podiatrist, dietician, etc) yourself.
• Consultants very often do not run on time.

PUBLIC

Advantages

• Free
• Usually you can access the other medical professionals (such as podiatrist, dietician, etc) within the Clinic.

Disadvantages

• Lots of waiting
• It’s a different set of doctors every time you go and you may not see the consultant each visit – this can get frustrating as you may explain your situation each visit.

katiemaloe

I feel that I get very good care in the public clinic I attend. I do find though that I see a different doctor each time and haven't seen the actual consultant in a long time. I have a very good relationship with the nurses but none whatsoever with the doctor.

I hate having to explain myself to a new doctor each time. Something you start working on with one doctor is unlikely to be followed up at the next visit, with yet another new doctor. I feel like the doctor is judging me based on whatever is written in my file, rather than getting to know me and what elements of the diabetes Im good or not so good at managing. I wish I had the same doctor each time, so goals could be set and achieved with some consistant support.

That is the one reason that would make me consider private. Does anyone know roughly how much it costs to attend the clinic listed above?

graflynn

I can't answer the previous posters question but I think the cost range for a private consultant is about E130 for first visit and then anywhere between E70 - E100 for follow-up visits.

I just want a high standard of care but that isn't completely & insanely inconvenient for me or my family. Sometimes that can be the public clinic in your area.

I just spent €100 on my endo’s visit! I arrived on time for my appointment, I was sent to the waiting room where I spent the next 90 minutes without any information on how long my wait would be. At the 45minute mark, I approached the secretary to explain that I needed to be available to collect my child from playschool, to which the reply was “What can we do?” I assumed this was a rhetorical question and the employee didn’t find it her place to help my situation. She did show me the list of people before me and I made note of the person’s name directly ahead of me. I suggested that I would approach this lady and ask if she would mind if I went before her – the secretary said that they wouldn’t have a problem with that.

I couldn’t find the lady in question – but as it happens the secretary must have bumped me up the list because I was called next. The other people on the list must have left – I saw no evidence of them.

I walk into the doctor’s office. My visit seemed rushed, incomplete and my doctor seemed distracted and inattentive. I don’t remember if she checked my blood pressure, she did a "visual" check on my weight. I followed instruction, after instruction, (up on the table please, lie back), while she preformed the exam without telling me what she was doing and while she was firing questions and opinions at me.

Fifteen or twenty minutes later I left the office, went to the secretary to pay and arrange my next appointment. They were the unhappiest pair of females I’ve ever seen. I can only assume that they don’t like their jobs and wish they were elsewhere.

I feel like I did not get my moneys worth.

philten

I rang the number on their website which kept ringing out . So tried contacting the consultant directly (Rang Prof Tomkins secretary). Cost for initial consult is €250 with subsequent visits €150. If you need to referred to another speciality you will be charged by that specialist. Although I think the consultant can check eyes and feet he will refer you if you need more specialist care.

I am still debating whether to start attending. You need to be referred from either your own doctor or diabetes clinic. I am still reluctant to leave the clinic as the nurses are quite good - on theother hand I would like to have one doctor looking after me and get better continuity of care.

katiemaloe

Wow thats expensive. I think I will stay in my public clinic and maybe talk to the nurses about seeing the same doctor. At least I see the same nurses and they know me very well at this stage.

I wonder if you left the public clinic to go private, would it be difficult to get back to the public clinic if you changed yur mind??

philten

yeah is expensive - I don't think you could get a more qualified endo tho. But still!

Thats what I am afraid off - I am reluctant to let go of the clinic especially as I am on a pump and the nurses in there are good. Going back in Dec to the clinic so will wait and see how i get on. They have changed the pump clinics in the Mater so I will see how it works out this time.

katiemaloe

Yeah its probably worth seeing if your new pump clinic is any better. I was using the pump for a few years and you definately need a good support team with it.

douglashyde

Hi Guys,

I'm just reigniting this old thread as I need a bit of info.

I'm currently attending the Mater's diabetic clinic, seeing Dr. Byrne. However, I'd like to take my diabetic care private with the hope of having better care, more time with the consultant (Dr. Gerald Tomkin)

My main concern is the Beacon Clinic able to do my full bloods tests as they would in the Mater?

The_Conductor

They've a fully equipped lab. You have to pay for the blood tests separtely- I think its Euro 65, regardless of which or how many tests you're getting done on any particular day.

BC

I see my consultant privately in the Mater Private.
Bloods are done 2 weeks in advance of appts and have to be paid for.
You can get them done wherever, I usually get them done in the public hospital because it's cheaper than the private one.

douglashyde

I see.

I'm lucky enough to have corporate cover which covers tests and consultations.

My other concern is about getting equipment like: Insulin pens/ Blood monitors; are they able to provide them?

Finally, does anyone think I'd be better off seeing Dr. Firth or Dr. Byrne in Mater private or Dr. Tomkin in the Beacon?

The other question is, are they able to do eye care or any other problems with the Beacon?

I just got my next appointment for Mater public and it's just under one year away, which I'm not willing to wait.

Eurovisionmad

I get mine taken at my local GP (and it's obviously sent off to a hospital) it's €20 and you get the results in about 5 working days.