Rheumatology
Who are we?
Rheumatology is a medical speciality that cares for a wide range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. It is used to describe painful conditions of the joints, muscles and surrounding soft tissues.
We look after patients with Inflammatory Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Connective tissue diseases such as Lupus, Systemic sclerosis or Vasculitis. We also see patients with soft tissue rheumatic complaints and fibromyalgia, although a lot of these conditions are now managed in GP practices.
Many of the conditions treated are linked with the immune system attacking different body tissues.
The Team
The Rheumatology Department is located on Level 1 (off Clinic 6) in Kingsmill hospital.
Consultants:
- Head of Service: Dr Anindya Gupta
- Dr Ken Lim
- Professor David Walsh
- Dr Clare Wilkinson
- Dr Nav Sathi
- Dr Azhar Abbas
- Dr Salamet Ali
- Registrar: Rotational
Nurse specialists:
- Lead: Anne Mee
- Emily Marsh
- Sharon Turner
Rheumatology Research Team:
- Debbie Wilson
- Philip Buckley
- Rodger Hill
Other Specialist rheumatology staff:
- Pharmacist: Ahmed El-Mehdi Gueffaf
- Physiotherapist: Helen Burrows
- Occupational Therapists: Phil Avery, Charlotte Brooks, Rachel Murphy
- Nurse Administration Support: Claire Mee
What do we offer?
The Rheumatology Service is predominately outpatient based. Clinics are held either in Clinic 1, Kingsmill Hospital or Outpatient Department, Newark Hospital.
The rheumatology department offers the following clinics:
- Daily consultant or nurse specialist appointments
- Nurse-led blood monitoring
- Paediatric rheumatology
- Pharmacist-led medication screening
- Physiotherapist-led steroid joint injections
- Skin diseases in rheumatology
We also provide Daycase treatments, including:
- Biologic and immunosuppressive infusion therapy
- Fibromyalgia Programme
- Joint aspirations and injections
- Soft tissue injections
We offer specialist advice to inpatients as well as GP's. However, we do not provide an out of hour service. Our dedicated rheumatology occupational therapists and research team can also be accessed through the department.
Please bring a urine sample when you attend consultants/nurse clinics and a current list of your regular medication to all appointments.
Taking Biologic Medicines
Biologics or Biological therapies are newer medicines that have been developed in recent years. They are only given to patients who have not responded well to other traditional treatments.
If you are starting biologics, the Rheumatology team will advise you to watch the podcast below. This explains this group of medication in much detail. It is also a useful refresher for those have been taking biologic medications for a while.
A clinic appointment with the Rheumatology Pharmacist will be automatically arranged soon after to further discuss this.
The podcast is a new initiative that has been set up; therefore we welcome any feedback you have regarding it. We request you to kindly complete this quick survey so we can continue to improve our service: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8ZQH9P5
Patient Information Leaflet
A Patient Information leaflet with the same information can be found here: PowerPoint Presentation (sfh-tr.nhs.uk)
If you are trying to print this, please select print on 'short edge.'
Further Resources
You may be asked to come in to have a blood test.
If the King’s Mill site is convenient, attend Clinic 3. Open Monday to Thursday from 8am - 5.30pm or Friday 8am – 5pm. You do not need to make a pre-arranged appointment.
If the Newark site is convenient; you will need to make an appointment in order to attend. Ring Eastwood Centre: 01623 672383. Appointments are available Monday to Friday. You will need to enter and exit via the Eastwood entrance on Bowbridge road.
You may be asked to come in to have an X-ray or another form of a scan.
If the King’s Mill site is convenient, attend the X-ray department opposite Clinic 1. Ideally arrange an appointment before attending: 01623 672238. Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
If the Newark site is convenient, attend the X-ray department and ideally arrange an appointment before attending: 01636 681681 extension 5780
A positive research culture in health and care organisations is important for improving patient care, broadening treatment options and increasing opportunities for patients to access clinical research. Evidence shows that clinically, research active hospitals have better patient care outcomes
Rheumatology is a research active department.
During your visit you may be approached by a member of the Rheumatology Research Team to tell you about studies that you could be suitable to take part in.
We conduct research in collaboration with external partners such as the University of Nottingham.
You are free to choose whether to take part in any research study you are approached about. If you decide not to take part this will not affect your care or the treatment that you receive.
Email: sfh-tr.rheumqueries@nhs.net
Nurse specialists advice line: 01623 676002
(Telephone reserved for those without email access).
Due to high intensity in calls and staffing changes; preferably email your query for a quicker response. Please ensure you include your name, date of birth and a brief message with the name of your consultant. We will reply within 24-48 hours on weekdays only. The answer machine is not regularly attended, so telephone queries will take longer to be resolved.
To maintain patient confidentiality, we will always send an encrypted email from our secure NHSmail address (ending @nhs.net).
If you have never received an encrypted NHSmail email before, you will be redirected to an external Egress website. This will guide you through a simple, quick registration process to create an account to allow you to read, reply and forward emails.
For more information click on the following link or type the address into your browser: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhsmail/guidance-for-sending-secure-email