Rheumatology Service

The Rheumatology Service for West Dorset is based in the Rehabilitation Department, Level 1, South Wing, Dorset County Hospital. In addition to clinics taking place here, outpatients are also seen at Weymouth Community Hospital, Bridport Hospital, Blandford Hospital and the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne.

Many people with rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions need to visit a hospital rheumatology department and some may have to attend on a regular out–patient basis for many years. There is a whole team of health professionals who are likely to be involved in your care at some time and, in addition to the Rheumatologist and your GP, this team may include the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Chiropodist, Orthotist and the Practice Nurse at your GP surgery.

Often, rheumatological conditions and the way in which they affect you can change significantly over time. The Rheumatology Service has been designed to respond flexibly to your changing needs. This is very important when dealing with chronic (long term) conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Our aim

Rheumatological conditions can have a significant impact on your day to day activities, work, leisure and family life. It is our aim to minimise this impact so that you can get on with your life.

Contents

Also in this section:

Rheumatology Follow–up Clinic

Details.

Other services

Further provisions from the Rheumatology Department.

Managing your arthritis

Every so often, we run a patient education and advice programme for those newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

The programme consists of five sessions. Each session is two hours in duration and these normally take place on Wednesday afternoons in the Rehabilitation Department at Dorset County Hospital. Between eight and ten individuals attend each programme and people are welcome to bring a partner or friend with them should they wish to do so.

Different health professionals come along to talk on the programme, to provide information about the condition and its management and to answer any questions or address any concerns individuals may have. Attending the programme is also an opportunity to meet others with arthritis.

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New treatments for rheumatoid arthritis

Anti–TNF is a new form of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It has been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for use in those with severe disease who have failed conventional treatments. That is, they have been ineffective in controlling the person’s symptoms or the individual is unable to take them due to side effects.

We have been using these drugs now since 2001 and, as of August 2005, have about 30 patients receiving this form of treatment.

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Contact information

Telephone: 01305 255516 or 01305 255161.

To change an appointment however, please ring the number specified on the top of the appointment letter.

Rheumatology Helpline

Telephone: 01305 254797

This helpline for patients concerned about any aspect of their arthritis. This is to enable you to access help and advice when you need it, as opposed to having to wait for your next clinic appointment.

If we are unable to take your call, you can leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

This is not a 24 hour emergency helpline however. Therefore, if it is an urgent medical problem, please contact your GP.

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Useful links

Useful sources of information for people with inflammatory arthritis:

Arthritis Care

Telephone: 0808 800 4050

Arthritis Research Campaign

Telephone: 0870 580 5000

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

Telephone: 0800 298 7650

National Osteoporosis Society

Telephone: 0845 450 0230

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