Reviews
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Trust
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Dr Dinakantha Kumararatne
2018-03-02
Person
5
5
0
2nd March 2018
I have been under Dr Kumar’s care since 2001, having previously attended immunology clinics in four other hospitals. Dr Kumar’s clinic was the first I had experienced that used a multi-disciplinary approach to provide holistic care. Dr Kumar runs joint clinics with other Addenbrookes departments (e.g. Respiratory, Infectious Diseases, Hepatology, Lung Function etc.). These joint clinics have successfully picked-up longstanding issues that had previously gone undiagnosed as they are not frequently seen in immune competent patients. They have also been very useful to monitor and take pro-active preventative measures to minimise disease progression.
As far as I can see, Dr. Kumar’s use of Joint Clinics is quite innovative and necessary to provide the personalised care needed for different immune conditions. Even with regards to my own condition, research shows that patient care needs to be tailored and go beyond the scope of the immunology clinic.
For example, in a 2013 research paper, the author stated: “Effective management of CD40L deficiency requires a comprehensive individualized look to each patient regarding his/her course of disease and various manifestations. In this view, each efficiently managed patient is an individual piece of art.”
Dr Kumar has been practising this approach to good effect for many years. In my opinion, he is a highly respected immunologist, a very effective clinician and clearly, in terms of patient management, a veritable ‘artist’ in providing personalised care.
As an addendum, I noticed from some of the other posts comments about slow admin. I would partly agree, but I would point out two mitigating factors
1. Administrative support to consultants at Addenbrookes has been heavily cut back, which means (as far as I can tell) Dr Kumar does a lot of his own admin
2. Addenbrookes moved over to a new IT system, which has caused major issues. I’ve witnessed Dr Kumar having to navigate a complex system to just accomplish basic tasks like booking my next appointment
My sense is that Addenbrookes have been trying to save money by automating and cutting admin support. But rather than realising efficiency savings, the end result I’ve observed is that consultants like Dr Kumar are getting bogged down in admin and IT system issues.
CUH – I hope you are reading this and think again.
Dr Dinakantha Kumararatne
2018-02-26
Person
5
5
0
26th February 2018
I have received care from Dr Kumar for twenty years. I am extremely grateful for continuity of care and the high quality of that care. I trust completely that he has is concerned to advance my best interests. This continuity and level of trust means an enormous amount if one is living with a chronic illness, and I never feel that any concern of mine is irrelevant. I have just come to assume a high quality service and to be accustomed to having my physician available on email, and even on his mobile. However, I am aware that this is probably very rare within the hospital service.
Dr Dinakantha Kumararatne
2018-02-25
Person
5
5
0
25th February 2018
I have been under Dr Kumar’s care for well over a decade and I am constantly astounded by his level of concern for me. Without his care and attention I fear my quality of life would be much poorer.
I have never had a Doctor answer my concerns and questions so quickly and even out of hours. He has even emailed me concerns when he was overseas!
I’m not sure he knows how much I appreciate his vigilance but it is a huge reassurance to be under his care. Thank you.
Dr Dinakantha Kumararatne
2018-02-23
Person
5
5
0
23rd February 2018
I have been seeing Dr Kumar for over 10 years . The care that I have received from him and his team is exceptional . Nothing is too much trouble , if you have a problem a reply to your email is received straight away ... even at weekends . I have seen many doctors in many departments in many hospitals - he is right at the top of the list - I can’t thank him enough .
Dr Dinakantha Kumararatne
2018-02-20
Person
5
5
0
20th February 2018
Dr Kumar and his team are excellent. Every time I have visited they have spent considerable time asking questions, making notes and discussing treatment options with me. Perhaps most importantly, Dr Kumar and his office support team are spectacular when it comes to responding to emails and phone calls. When problems have cropped up on my end they have always been swift to see me or communicate with my GP to make sure that I get appropriate care. Dr Kumar's intervention played a pivotal part in leading me to obtain support from other experts who dramatically improved my quality of life. In short, I have nothing but the highest level of respect for him and his associates.
Profile
Dr. D S Kumararatne [D.Phil (Oxon), FRCPath], is the Consultant Immunologist and head of the Department of Clinical Immunology at Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrookes) in Cambridge, U.K. He has built up this service, from a single handed service to one of the largest clinical Immunology centres in the UK. He is an (Hon) Associate Lecturer, in Clinical Immunology, at University Of Cambridge Medical School. He qualified from the Medical Faculty in Colombo, Sri-Lanka, with First Class Honours in 1972 and completed his Immunology training at the Universities of Oxford, Glasgow, and Birmingham. He was Consultant Immunologist and Reader in Clinical Immunology at the University of Birmingham from 1984-2000. His major interest is the diagnosis and management of patients with Primary Immune Deficiency, and has resulted in many publications in high impact journals.
His research encompasses identifying the genetic, and immunological basis of defects in the immune system resulting insusceptibility to infectious diseases. His work has led to the identification of novel lifesaving therapies for immunodeficiencies which resulti in susceptibility to bacterial infection. He established and directs an national specialist laboratory for diagnosing rare immune deficiencies, based at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.
He is the author of the Chapter on Immunodeficiency in the Oxford Textbook of Medicine.
He was the Training Programme Director for Clinical Immunology in Birmingham (1994-2000) and is the current Director of the equivalent training programme in Cambridge.
He is the Chairman of the panel of Examiners in Immunology for the Royal College of Pathologists.
He was given a life-time achievement award by the UK Primary Immunodeficiency network, the UK professional organisation for improving
care for patient with Immunodeficiency. Under his direction the Clinical Immunology Service at Cambridge University Hospital has been recognized as a Primary Immunodeficiency referral center by the international patient support organization, the Jeffery Modell Foundation.
Clinical Interests: Immunodeficiency, especially Primary Immunodeficiency, Susceptibility to recurrent infections, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Urticaria, Angioedema including Hereditary Angioedema, Vaccination and side effects, Immunoglobulin therapy.