About our service

Our rheumatology service helps diagnose and treat people with conditions affecting bones, joints and muscles, and help you to regain the ability to live a normal life.

Our team includes doctors, specialist nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists. Together, we diagnose and treat patients with many different diseases. We may also see you if you have a complex autoimmune inflammatory disorder that may not necessarily cause joint pain or connective tissue diseases.

To make a diagnosis we will talk to you about your symptoms, examine you, and often arrange tests which may include blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans.

When we have reached a diagnosis, we will support you in deciding which treatment(s) are likely to help manage your condition. These may include medications such as painkillers, anti-inflammatories, steroids or treatments to control your condition, which are known as ‘DMARDs’ or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Sometimes we may administer treatments by injection, and the team will explain the reasons for this if needed. Non-drug therapies, support and education are also provided by our multidisciplinary team depending on your needs.

We like to see you as early as possible, because we know that early treatment can lead to better patient outcomes in the longer term. Sometimes we need to involve other specialists or services to support you in managing your condition, for example the pain management team, orthopaedics or other medical specialists.

We aim to enable you to live as normal a life as possible with your rheumatological condition, and we’re here to support you in making decisions about your healthcare and treatments at every step.

Nurses/pharmacy team and advice line

Our nursing/pharmacy team will review how active your condition is and provide treatment according to your needs, under the guidance of your consultant and with the help of the wider rheumatology team. We run a telephone advice line service from Monday to Friday from 8am - 2pm - please leave a message with your contact details and date of birth or NHS number and we will return your call within 48 hours.

Our advice line telephone number is: 01325 743881

Many of the medications we give you will need to be prescribed by us until such time as your disease is controlled enough for the GP to take over.  Because we post your prescriptions out to you, you will need to give us two weeks' notice. If you receive prescriptions from the rheumatology department instead of your GP, please call the advice line above or email: cddft.rheumatologysouth@nhs.net or cddft.rheumatologynorth@nhs.net.

Podiatrists specialise in foot and ankle disorders and diseases, and provide comprehensive assessments that include examination of the foot structure, mechanics and gait (walking pattern), with evaluation of the foot neurovascular systems (nerves and blood vessels). Many rheumatological foot problems can be managed with appropriate advice on footwear, exercises and insole management, the podiatrists work with orthotists to provide specialist and bespoke footwear and insoles. Please ask your rheumatology nurse or consultant if you would like to be referred to podiatry.

If you have an inflammatory condition or other rheumatological condition, physiotherapy can be of benefit. The role of the physiotherapists is to assess, treat and help you to self-manage your arthritis. Treatment would include advice and exercises to preserve your joints, ease pain, maintain your function and help with your mobility. If you have a flare up of your arthritis and are struggling with daily activities then physiotherapy can help. You can self-refer to physiotherapy by contacting your local physiotherapy department.

If you are struggling with daily activities because of your condition, then occupational therapy could help to improve your function and maintain your independence. The team will work with you to identify your priorities and find ways for you to continue doing the things you want and need to do day to day.

Some of the activities they often assist with include: improving hand function, employment issues, fatigue, sleep hygiene, bathing, home adaptations and splinting provision. However, the focus of your treatment will depend on your personal needs and goals. Please ask your rheumatology nurse or consultant if you would like to be referred to occupational therapy.