The Rheumatology Department is a multidisciplinary team of experts, including consultants, specialist nurses, resident doctors, physician associates, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and administrative staff. Together, they provide comprehensive care and support for patients with rheumatological conditions.
Education and Collaboration
The department is actively involved in teaching, mentoring Year 3 medical students from Buckingham Medical School and provides placements for medical student projects with University of Manchester Medical School. Regular multidisciplinary meetings are held with colleagues from radiology and dermatology to ensure integrated, high-quality care.
Services and Specialty Clinics
The department offers a wide range of general rheumatology services and specialty clinics, including:
- Foot and ankle clinics
- Hand clinics
- Antenatal rheumatology clinics
- Transition clinics
- Osteoporosis clinics
Close collaborations with the Orthopaedic Department and Musculoskeletal Radiology provide seamless access to services such as DEXA scanning at Victoria Infirmary.
The Rheumatology Specialist Nurse Service follows NICE guidelines and offers:
- New patient clinics for inflammatory arthritis
- Biological therapy clinics
- Annual review clinics
The Planned Investigation Unit at Leighton Hospital facilitates biological therapy infusions and intravenous osteoporosis treatments. The department also provides Advice and Guidance services and electronic triage for primary care, ensuring strong connections with community healthcare providers.
Outpatient services are primarily offered at Leighton Hospital, with additional clinics at Victoria Infirmary in Northwich.
A dedicated rheumatology advice line, staffed by clinicians including doctors, nurses, and a physician associate, operates Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding bank holidays and unforeseen staff shortages).
Contact Information
- Advice line online form
- Advice line (answerphone): 01270 273631
- Blood test appointment booking: www.
patientconnect.uhnm.nhs.uk . Alternatively phone to book/change blood test appointments 01782 674242 - Secretarial Team: 01270 612238
- Prescription requests/enquiries: 01270 612261
- Planned Investigations Unit (PIU) : 01270 612433
- Radiology appointments booking : 01270 278200
- Additional Resources For more information about rheumatological conditions and medications, visit: www.versusarthritis.org
- Royal Osteoporosis Society - Better Bone Health for Everybody
- Patient leaflets are available here : Patient Leaflets :: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
