During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rheumatology Department has significantly reduced the number to face-to-face consultations whilst we help cover the medical wards.
We are however still available for advice and are running regular emergency clinics for those patients who need to be seen.
Our advice line is still open and the Rheumatology specialist nurses are contacting patients by telephone where needed.
Patients are advised to call the Rheumatology Advice Line on 01793 604323 and leave a brief message - calls will usually be returned within one working day.
The DAWN prescribing and monitoring service is working normally - please phone 01793 604204.
GPs are advised to phone the GWH switchboard (01793 604020) and ask to be put through to the rheumatologists, either via the secretaries or via the Rheumatology DECT phone.
Internal referrals can be made via the Rheumatology DECT phone, by email or by contacting the consultants direct via switchboard.
There is useful and regularly updated information online.
Please see:
For advice on shielding for rheumatology patients, including a risk stratification guide, please see:
For further comprehensive advice on COVID-19 in relation to rheumatology, please see:
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.
Our team includes:
We are based on the third floor of the Great Western Hospital, Osprey Unit.
We also run clinics at:
There are over 100 rheumatic diseases.
For more information on some of the most commonly treated, please follow the links below:
Please see our Dictionary of Rheumatological Terms for help with commonly used terms.
Please see the Oxford Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Centre (OxPARC) website (www.noc.nhs.uk/oxparc).
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.
Please have a look at our tips on Diet and Exercise and Sex, Sleep and Fatigue for more information.
Please contact us at gwh.webmaster@nhs.net and we'll put it right.
© 2021 Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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