When I saw Dr Claire Barrett for the first time, she was nothing but charming. She welcomed me very graciously and listened to everything I had to say.
I say she is a great doctor and who cares if she reorders tests. To me that means she is very thorough and doesn't rely on old tests. I like that about her. Claire never gave up on me and always did what was best for me.
She would rather I take Prednisoline but I refused as I am a diabetic dependent on insulin. She respected that as she knew it would put up my BGL readings up.
Claire put me on a once a week dose of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).
I went to see Claire because my GP said I had a high ANA titre so diagnosed me with SLE but Claire said I had more than that. I had MCTD.
Today I live in NSW and see Prof. John Riordan who is a Rheumatologist who continues to treat me the same way Dr Barrett did. She is the best in Queensland as far as I am concerned and does not stop at anything until shee is 100% sure of whatever it is that ails you.

Submitted Nov. 13, 2023

Dr Claire misdiagnosed Lyme Disease and treated me with immunosuppressive drugs which are ILL advised in Lyme disease. Developed a chronic autoimmune condition due to medical negligence occurred! Avoid this doctor at all costs

Submitted May 17, 2022

She was my first Rheumatologist and left me frustrated and disappointed she never listened to what I had to say and treated me like a child when I voiced my concerns

Submitted Nov. 2, 2021

A brilliant doctor who understands the challenges of Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Dr Barrett's knowledge is outstanding and her manner is very efficient. I also find her very positive and hopeful. With her help, I am able to manage my condition and lead a normal, fulfilling life.

Submitted Sept. 29, 2021

After being put in the position to source a rheumatologist for a second time in my life I stumbled across this reviews and having had a similar themed experience with dr barret, it makes me wonder about the expression pot, kettle, black . She inferred that I was making things up because she didn’t receive the notes from another specialist. What would motive someone to invent having rare disease symptoms?

Submitted May 19, 2021

Skype appointment during Covid, said she would book me for a review, wait for months call up to find out about my review only to find out she discharged me, now back on the wait list probably for another year and in pain worsening day by day. Very slack!

Submitted Jan. 21, 2021

Doctor Barrett salvaged my quality of life 15 years ago when i was so ill my family thought i was dying. I have a most destructive type of RhArth... since 29yrs old. She has been unstinting in trying EVERYTHING to ensure i could live my life painfree and in doing so gave our daughter back her mother and my husband the soulmate he married. Shes absolutely brilliant and for that i dont care about silly things like punctuality....yes she is busy...unsurpringly. i trust her 100%. Thank God Redcliffe gained a physician like this.

Submitted Sept. 6, 2018

After reading the feedback below, I had to add my 2c worth. I cryed my eyes out the first time I saw Dr Barrett as I'd waited 6 long months to see her with no treatment and no pain relief. Dr Barrett had been extolled as the "demi-god" of Rheumatologists and I was so relieved that I thought I was finally going to get help I broke down in tears. Dr Barrett also wrote to my GP inferring I had mental health issues. I also felt I wasn't taken seriously and her manner implied my suffering was nothing compared to that of others and this meant my condition was poorly managed from the outset. At first I was given prednisone (an awful drug but a lifesaver by that stage) then it was 18 months of trying out all the 'old' drugs (Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine then a combo of both) before I was offered MTX which, ordinarily, is a "go to" treatment. Unfortunately Dr Barrett decided, for some reason, I wasn't worthy of the "treat early and treat aggressively" theory and this meant the "window of opportunity" had well and truly closed for me when I had not responded to 18 months of "old" favourites. Once I started the MTX my health did improve but it wasn't until I was "allowed" to start a biologic 3 years after being diagnosed that my life was worth living again. I implore newly diagnosed sufferers of auto-immune conditions to trust your instinct, believe in yourself and have the courage to speak louder when you feel you are not being heard. If your doctor is not listening then a second opinion may be priceless to ensure optimal treatment and a better life.

Submitted July 17, 2018

Saw her privately years ago when I had just developed high antinuclear antibodies. Saw a locum while she was on leave who ordered a CT scan of head and neck for my inflamed sallva gland. On test day was not inflamed and nothing showed in test.
Heard her on phone blasting the locum for a test with radiation that showed nothing and questioning why was it necessary. She had judged me as making up stuff before meeting me it seemed and was angry first consult. Didn't read the notes of locum. Was abrupt and said, what are your symptoms? Wasn't ready for that as I'd had a long consult with locum first time and expected she would have read his letter. Didn't like her manner. Maybe a good doctor but no bedside manner to me on that day anyway.
My antinuclear antibodies were high but negative on other bloods. She said it may be a virus and insinuated my pain is in my head and put me on antidepressants. Said I may have pre-lupus and was very dismissive.
She wrote a letter to my GP questioning my mental health because I broke down crying at her manner. I wanted to investigate some antibodies because my daughter had been born premature and low birth weight. I'd had HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia during pregnancy and still had PTSD and knew I'd had autoimmune problems for years. She was not understanding and wrote that I must have a mood disorder.
In later years my ANA remained high and I've been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and take Plaquenil that helps now. had that when I saw her she just didn't diagnose it properly.

Submitted May 31, 2018

Claire is a superb, caring professional who is current in her knowledge base. She is always prepared for each appt, remembers the complexities of my other conditions and easily arranges appts, blood forms and scripts, checking before finishing that I, my husband and GP (when using Skype) don't have any further concerns. When I am unwell I go to my GP (I live 1000km from her surgery ) and he phones Claire for input in a timely manner. She focuses on individualized care and provides information and materials re medications so that I can make an informed decision.

Submitted Jan. 9, 2018