Dr Alan Hakim

Written by a private patient at The Wellington Hospital

I honestly believe that Dr Hakim was the catalyst for my life changing drastically for the better. I would even go as far as crediting this man as the start of my journey in relearning how to walk, getting out of a wheelchair and changing my life into the start of everything I ever dreamed of being when I was at my most poorly. I came to him in a wheelchair feeling broken and I left his office with so much hope for what the future could be. He listened, he empathised, he educated me, he helped me, he sent me for scans that were not available on the nhs. He cares about patients most importantly and then he sent me to the physio team at St. John and st Elizabeth and the Wellington to get the ball rolling so my life could improve. When I think of pivotal moments in my health journey, he comes to mind most often and I am so thankful. He really is the most incredible doctor and I am so thankful to have been under his care, even if it can feel overwhelming at times. He really knows his stuff, he is an extremely kind and considerate doctor and genuinely wants his patients to thrive. I have recently been under his care again for some wear and tear of the body and I know that I will be in safe hands regardless because of my positive experiences initially under his care.

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Listening

Written by a private patient at The Wellington Hospital

I went to see Dr Alan Hakim at the Platinum Medical Centre at the end of April 2021, it was the first time that I had seen an EDS specialist even though I had several symptoms since childhood, and it was the first time that a Doctor was so thorough and had taken such great care and looked at all of my symptoms and separate diagnosis and test results, and put them all together – everything made more sense. It was a relief to be finally diagnosed with hEDS at aged 45! Dr Alan hakim was warm, welcoming and made me feel comfortable, listened to and validated, he read my notes about symptoms, medical history, medications and treatments that I have tried, and diagnosis letters/test results that I sent him before the face-to-face appointment, and so he had quite a good idea of my medical history and current level of health before I went in (and asked questions about it throughout the appointment). Dr Hakim’s personal assistant, Paul, was always very helpful in emails, and made things easy for me to understand before and after the appointment. Dr Alan Hakim gave a thorough examination of my joints and skin before diagnosing me with hEDS, and explained what the combination of generalised hypermobility and unstable joints meant for me, including how it effected some of my co morbidities that are commonly found in people with hEDS, such as PoTS and Dystonia, and how physiotherapy specialising in hypermobility and EDS could help whereas other general physiotherapy could not or could harm – this gave me a hope that I did not have before as general physiotherapy did not help my joints (and certain moved made them less stable and more in pain afterwards) and made my fatigue worse. He referred me to Central Health Physiotherapy and I now have an appointment to see the very experienced Jason Parry, which again gives me some hope (albeit realistic - not expecting too much of my body!). Dr Alan Hakim answered all of the questions that I had written down for him, and in his clinic letter suggested referrals for my GP to make for specific further investigation and treatment with the rare NHS specialists who have a good knowledge of EDS. I feel like I am now in very safe hands and finally have found a Dr who understands not only the hEDS symptoms but also how best to try to move further forward for possible improvements in certain areas.

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Listening

Written by a private patient at The Wellington Hospital

I saw Dr Hakim privately October 2020 due to work issues resulting from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. At the time of seeing Dr Hakim I was mentally in a bad place as I had been dismissed but was appealing on the grounds of medical retirement instead. I can't explain how incredible it was to see a Medical Professional who listened and who got it . He recognised that at 53 the battle with my body was daily and it was impacting what I could do . It seemed so strange that we were both on the same page . I know my body and lived with issues since I was little but so many many medical professionals just don't get it or listen to what I am saying in respect of my difficulties . So to actually both be on the same page was incredible . Dr Hakim also suggested possible treatments to my GP for other issues. As medical appointments go this was so easy and a delight..

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Listening

Written by a patient at The Wellington Hospital

For decades, I have lived with a number of increasing musculoskeletal problems plus a raft of other conditions, and although I had asked the question a number of times, no explanation was ever given as to what was going on. However, at the end of last year upon the discovery of aortic aneurysms (large enough to require major surgeries) my GP told me that after speaking with a local rheumatologist, that I had probably either Marfan Syndrome or one of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (both connective tissue disorders). Clearly, I wanted to understand better, so looked into what these conditions were and realised that they were genetically inheritable. That was a turning point for me, as I have both a daughter and grandson who could be at risk, and if the aneurysms were linked, I needed to know for certain, to keep them as safe as possible. Unfortunately, and as I found out is all too common, in-depth knowledge, or much knowledge at all, is severely lacking within the general medical community. Even within Rheumatology as was apparent with the NHS consultant, as he said that there was no point in wasting my time going to see him as neither condition was curable and there was ‘nothing that could be done’. Which I’ve since learnt is not the case at all. There is a great deal that can be done to mitigate the symptoms and improve quality of life, let alone be potentially life-saving in the case of someone being at risk of developing aortic aneurysms. And this is where Dr Hakim comes in. I had heard about him from others who had been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and who like me, had gone for years without an explanation for all of their many symptoms. And like me, had experienced enormous difficulty in finding anyone knowledgeable about this condition and could find no explanation, often being treated with a dismissive manner by the various medical professionals I had seen throughout my life. The net result of that meant that I stopped raising any new or worsening issues with my GP and just had to accept that I had a wonky body, put up with the pain and that was that. A number of people I ended up meeting through EDS UK Support group (patients and parents of adult children) couldn’t sing Dr Hakim’s praises high enough, so decided that I would request a referral to him from my GP. It was the best thing I ever did. Not only did I get a formal diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which explains so much but also has helped in being able to confirm to my surgeons the presence of a connective tissue disorder. This in turn has informed them as to how best to proceed in dealing with these aneurysms which will therefore minimise future problems. I can thoroughly recommend Dr Hakim to anyone, who like me, has gone around the houses so many times without ever getting any answers. He has been able to finally give me answers no-one else ever has. He has a deep, genuine concern for his patients and that they get the best care possible. Plus he listens, really listens and will go that extra mile so you can get the help you need.

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Listening

Written by a patient at The Wellington Hospital

I have had my condition my entire life, it is hereditary and came from my mum who suffers as I do. It is a chronic pain condition which also has the effect of fatigue and I have spend hours and hours in various Dr's and specialists offices with no diagnosis or proper care plan. Dr Hakim spent about an hour and a half with me and changed my life for the better. I have a detailed care plan and medication that treats my condition such that my pain is more reduced than it has ever been. But more importantly I felt listened to. Dr Hakim asked the right questions and listened to my answers, seems so basic but that is what hasn't been happening with a strained NHS, where Dr's can't talk to you for more than 7 minutes. I convinced my mum that she aught to see the Dr and it has changed her life similarly, she has better control of her condition, better medication and a diagnosis she never had before.

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Listening