Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Rheumatology

Rheumatology is a field of medicine which specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting joints, muscles and bones.

Many of these conditions are caused by imbalance of the immune system, and can also affect the skin and other internal organs.  

About us

Our team includes:

• Consultants
• Training grade doctors (specialist registrars)
• Specialist nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Administrative staff

Where to find us

We are based on the third floor of the Great Western Hospital, Osprey Unit.

We also run clinics at:

• Cirencester Hospital
• Savernake Hospital
• Fairford Hospital

What rheumatologists treat

There are over 100 rheumatic diseases.

For more information on some of the most commonly treated, please follow the links below: 

• Gout (www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gout/Pages/Introduction.aspx)
• National Osteoporosis Society (www.nos.org.uk/ )
• Osteoarthritis (www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/pages/introduction.aspx )
• Pagets Disease (bone) (www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/pagets.aspx )
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Polymyalgia-rheumatica/Pages/Introduction.aspx )
• Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (www.arthritisresearchuk.org/shop/products/publications/patient-information/conditions/polymyositis-and-dermatomyositis.aspx)
• Psoriatic Arthritis (www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx )
• Reactive Arthritis (www.nhs.uk/conditions/Reactive-arthritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx )
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis.aspx )
• Scleroderma (www.nhs.uk/conditions/scleroderma/Pages/Introduction.aspx )
• Septic Arthritis (www.nhs.uk/conditions/septic-arthritis/pages/introduction.aspx )
• Sjögren's Syndrome (www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/sjogrens-syndrome.aspx )
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/lupus.aspx )
• Tendonitis (www.nhs.uk/conditions/Tendonitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx )
• Vasculitis (www.nhs.uk/conditions/vasculitis/pages/introduction.aspx)

Useful terms explained

Please see our Dictionary of Rheumatological Terms for help with commonly used terms.

Children and teenagers

Please see the Oxford Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Centre (OxPARC) website (www.noc.nhs.uk/oxparc).

How you can help yourself

There is a lot you can do to make living with a rheumatological condition more manageable.

Many aspects of your lifestyle influence your disease and making small changes can often decrease pain, stiffness and other difficulties associated with your condition.

This means that a large part of your treatment is within your control.

You have the power to substantially improve your quality of life.

Further information

Please have a look at our tips on Diet and Exercise and Sex, Sleep and Fatigue for more information.