Rheumatology is a medical specialty that involves the management of a wide range of patients with joint, skin and soft tissue problems –of both degenerative and inflammatory causes.
It also involves management of patients with complex autoimmune/inflammatory disorders.
The treatments involved for these conditions can include oral and injectable immunosuppressive therapies as well as joint injections and pain relief.
Non-pharmacological therapies are also a key component to management of rheumatological conditions and are guided by physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy (see contact info below).
Rheumatology in the south eastern trust is mainly based in the Ulster hospital. Clinics also take place in Downe, Lagan Valley & Bangor hospitals.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND FOR RHEUMATOLOGY OUTPATIENT APPOINTMENTS IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19 OR ARE SELF ISOLATING DUE TO RECENT POSITIVE TEST OR RECENT CONTACT OF SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID19.
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Current COVID-19 Recommendations
The ongoing pandemic has brought new challenges to us all. It is important, particularly for people on immunosuppressive treatments, to be up to date with current recommendations/guidelines. Please explore the following links with regards to queries surrounding COVID19 and its impact on you.
Public health
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirusVersus arthritis general information on COVID19
https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/april/coronavirus-covid-19-and-arthritis-where-to-go-for-information/Versus arthritis – COVID19 related employment information https://www.versusarthritis.org/covid-19-updates/covid-19-employment-and-work-information/
Versus arthritis – emotional wellbeing information
https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/march/arthritis-and-coronavirus-looking-after-your-emotional-wellbeing/Versus arthritis – managing pain at home – https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/april/coronavirus-and-how-to-manage-your-pain-at-home/
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Rheumatological conditions
A valuable source of patient information is available through versus arthritis.
For individual conditions please see links below
Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
For other conditions use this link: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/?alphabeticIndex=F
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Drug information
A valuable source of patient information is available through versus arthritis.
Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) & pain killers
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
Other therapies:
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Contact Information and Referrals
Referrals can be via GP or other medical specialties.
For current patients on immunosuppressive therapy: Rheumatology advice line – due to the demand on this service we would ask that you attempt to find the answer to your query in the information on this website(see above section on drug information). The advice line is for advice on medications or clinical concerns but is not for emergencies, general GP queries, investigation results or appointment queries. This is a voicemail service and is available from 8am-1pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday. One of the team will aim to respond to calls within 48 hrs.
Rheumatology advice line: (028) 9056 4742
Please see contact details below for other departments:
Central booking office: (028) 9056 4887
Physio department: https://setrust.hscni.net/service/physiotherapy/
Physiotherapy self referral form: https://setrust.hscni.net/physio-form/
Podiatry department: https://setrust.hscni.net/service/podiatry-2/
Occupational therapy department: https://setrust.hscni.net/service/occupational-therapy/acute-occupational-therapy/
Pharmacy department: https://setrust.hscni.net/service/pharmacy-2/
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Other useful websites
Lupus UK – https://www.lupusuk.org.uk/
National rheumatoid arthritis society – https://www.nras.org.uk/
National axial spondyloarthropathy society – https://nass.co.uk/
Royal osteoporosis society – https://theros.org.uk/
Scleroderma & raynauds UK – https://www.sruk.co.uk/
Sjogrens syndrome UK – https://www.sruk.co.uk/scleroderma/sjogrens-syndrome/
UK gout society – http://www.ukgoutsociety.org/
Vasculitis UK – https://www.vasculitis.org.uk/
