The Rheumatology Department offers a comprehensive service to patients with any suspected rheumatological problem. This may range from patients with soft-tissue rheumatism or unexplained joint or muscle pains through to patients with inflammatory arthritis such as:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• psoriatic arthritis
• inflammatory spinal arthritis

We are happy to accept referrals for other conditions, such as connective tissue disorders (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjgrens syndrome, myositis) vasculitic disorders, gout, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis etc.

If patients are suspected of having early/new onset of inflammatory arthritis (any of; three or more swollen joints, tender knuckles when squeezed, early morning stiffness of over 30 minutes' duration) or require urgent assessment for any other reason we are happy to receive urgent referrals by fax or by direct telephone conversation with any of the consultants.

We are also pleased to receive referrals via Choose and Book.

Urgent advice

During office hours, consultants/specialist registrars may be contacted either through their secretaries or directly via the switchboard.

Out of office hours, standard emergency services should be used.