Rheumatology Outpatients

The Rheumatology Outpatient service consists, on average of 45 clinics per week, providing appointments for over 10,000 patients on an annual basis. Clinics currently being provided include:

• General Rheumatology
• Connective Tissue Disease
• Early Arthritis
• Acute Back
• New Drug Education
• Joint Injection
• Osteoporosis
• Ward Follow-up
• Combined Rheumatology/Dermatology
• Vasculitis clinic with Rheumatology, Renal Medicine and Chest Medicine
• Giant Cell Arteritis

Appointment Information

Appointments for new patients will be made via the Choose and Book system. Appointments for returning patients will be made by the department secretaries/receptionists and confirmed by letter.

On average 85 patients per month fail to notify the department that they cannot attend their appointment, thereby wasting valuable clinic space. It is, therefore, very important that patients notify us as soon as possible on one of the numbers shown below whenever they cannot attend their appointment:

	Reception	01603 287005
	Dr Merry/Dr Hamilton/Dr DeSilva Secretary	01603 286725
	Prof Gaffney/Dr Yates Secretary	01603 288678
	Dr Marshall/Professor Macgregor Secretary	01603 288677
	Dr Mukhtyar/Georgina Ducker Secretary	01603 287118
	Specialist Nurses	01603 287203/01603 289806
	Biologic Nurses	01603 288338
	Dr Lim Secretary	01603 289806
	Dr Fordham/Dr Coath Secretary	01603 287623

What should I do before my appointment?

Please follow the instructions shown on the appointment letter and remember to bring with you:

• Urine sample
• List of usual medication
• Shared care booklet (if you have one)

What happens on arrival at the department?

Please inform Reception of your arrival. Following a demographics check, you will be asked to take a seat in the main waiting area. As your appointment time approaches you will be called by a member of the nursing team to take a seat in the clinic area, possibly via the weighing room if necessary. As soon as your doctor or a junior member of his clinical staff becomes available you will be shown into the clinic.