{"id":4395,"date":"2022-05-03T11:47:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/rheumatology\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T09:26:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T08:26:54","slug":"rheumatology-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/rheumatology-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Rheumatology and Bone disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span>Services<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rheumatology department is based at the Western General Hospital. The department comprises of 12 consultants, 6 registrars, 5 Rheumatology nurse practitioners, osteoporosis nurses, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a podiatrist, 3 pharmacists and secretaries and support staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outpatient clinics are run at the Western General, St John&#8217;s and East Lothian community Hospitals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All new patients will be seen face-to-face. We are using a combination of telephone and in-person appointments for return patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Appointments<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We moved to a new return booking system in 2021.Patients will get their return appointment notified 6 weeks before their scheduled follow up date. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have an enormous return patient waiting list and at times the appointments may be delayed. If you have any concerns about your patient, please contact the patient\u2019s consultant by email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PIFU<\/strong> &#8211; We are also using Patient Initiated Follow Up for patients who may be well controlled and stable on treatment. They do not need regular hospital clinic reviews if stable but can re-engage with the rheumatology&nbsp; service if their disease becomes active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>M.A &amp; H.B\/S.R 29-7-26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs\" data-active-tab=\"0\"><ul class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-links\"><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Referral Guidelines<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to refer:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Sci Referral:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">SCI Gateway Referral&gt;Rheumatology&gt;WGH:<\/span> All referrals irrespective of location (East\/West Lothian or Edinburgh) should be directed to Rheumatology at WGH where they will be triaged by the oncall consultant. The patients are then on a waiting list.<br>Patient Focused Booking (PFB) is used where waiting list New patients can book their appointment, including where they would like to be seen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Please mark as routine or urgent with a clear history and clinical findings. This will make it easier for the on-call consultant to triage your referral appropriately.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not necessary to direct referrals to a specific consultant or clinic unless that consultant has seen the patient previously <strong>or it is a Bone or AxSpA referral.<\/strong> Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Emergency clinic:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Indications for an emergency appointment are: suspected GCA, acute severe inflammatory arthritis and patients who are clinically unwell with suspected systemic vasculitis or active SLE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We operate emergency clinics supervised by the consultant on call on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays each week for patients that need seen urgently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Referrals to this clinic should be made by contacting the registrar by phone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Hospital Admissions:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are unable to accept direct admissions to rheumatology as there is no dedicated rheumatology ward in operation at present. Patients will be admitted under general medicine and be seen by the rheumatology team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a patient needs admitted for emergency treatment this should be done through the&nbsp;acute medical receiving team (out of hours)&nbsp;or rheumatologist on-call during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">How to contact us:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Telephone:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Telephone advice is available from the on-call registrar between 13.00 and 18.00 weekdays and between 09.00 and 12.00 weekends and public holidays. The doctor on call can be contacted through the hospital switchboard (0131-537-1000).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GPs can also contact the Rheumatology on call consultant through the switch board<br><br><strong><u>Email:<\/u>&nbsp;<\/strong>Consultants are happy to provide email advice to GPs for patients under their care. All email addresses are available on the NHS Lothian intranet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>On-call email advice:<\/u><\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:rheumatology.oncall@luht.scot.nhs.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rheumatology.oncall@luht.scot.nhs.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The email advice service is only for urgent on-call queries and is operational all through the week. We aim to respond to these emails within 24hrs of receiving the email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Us: Rheumatology (nhslothian.scot)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Consultants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Annamarie Horne<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1806<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Barbara Hauser<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1798<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Helen Harris<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1813\/ 01506523824<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Hema G Bhat<br>Secretary contact number: <strong>0131 537 2355<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. &nbsp;Pollie Ravji<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1016\/ 01506523824<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prof. Mohini Gray<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 3564<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Neil McKay<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1798\/ 01506523824<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Philip Riches<br>Secretary contact: 0131 537 1806\/ 01620 642725\/ 01620 642807<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Stephen Boyle<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 3564\/ 01506523824<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Professor Stuart Ralston<br>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1813<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Muhammad Iqbal<\/strong><br><strong>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1016\/01506523824<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prof. Cosima De Bari<\/strong><br><strong>Secretary contact number: 0131 537 1813<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Resources and Links<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Useful Websites\/Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rheumatology \u2013 NHS Lothian<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/rheumatology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rheumatology \u2013 NHS Lothian | Our Services<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.EdRheum.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.EdRheum.org<\/a> ( Lothian based website for patients giving information about disease and medications)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arthritis-uk.org\/information-and-support\/understanding-arthritis\/conditions\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.arthritis-uk.org\/information-and-support\/understanding-arthritis\/conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arthritis UK | A future free from arthritis<\/a><strong> (<\/strong>access to helpful patient information on rheumatological) conditions, and treatments available<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>British Society for Rheumatology&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.rheumatology.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.rheumatology.org.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nras.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NRAS | Rheumatoid arthritis charity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nass.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Homepage | National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (nass.co.uk)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sign.ac.uk\/our-guidelines\/management-of-osteoporosis-and-the-prevention-of-fragility-fractures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.sign.ac.uk\/our-guidelines\/management-of-osteoporosis-and-the-prevention-of-fragility-fractures\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Royal Osteoporosis Society:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theros.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.theros.org.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/paget.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pagets Disease Home | paget.org.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Brittle Bone Society: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brittlebone.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.brittlebone.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.refhelp.scot.nhs.uk\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=438:prescribing-second-line-anti-rheumatic-therapy&amp;catid=50:rheumatology&amp;Itemid=1372\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shared Care Protocols and Guidance<\/a><br>There are a number of shared care protocols available for therapies used in the management of rheumatological conditions. Please go to <a href=\"https:\/\/formulary.nhs.scot\/east\/help-and-support\/for-healthcare-professionals\/shared-care-of-medicines\/nhs-lothian-shared-care-agreements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Formulary | Lothian Joint Formulary (nhs.scot)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Services The Rheumatology department is based at the Western General Hospital. The department comprises of 12 consultants, 6 registrars, 5 Rheumatology nurse practitioners, osteoporosis nurses, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a podiatrist, 3 pharmacists and secretaries and support staff. Outpatient clinics are run at the Western General, St John&rsquo;s and East Lothian community Hospitals. All<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":3664,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[613],"class_list":["post-4395","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-rheumatology"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/category\/rheumatology\/\" rel=\"tag\">Rheumatology \uff06 Bone Disease<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Services The Rheumatology department is based at the Western General Hospital. The department comprises of 12 consultants, 6 registrars, 5 Rheumatology nurse practitioners, osteoporosis nurses, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a podiatrist, 3 pharmacists and secretaries and support staff. Outpatient clinics are run at the Western General, St John&rsquo;s and East Lothian community Hospitals. All","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4395"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29347,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4395\/revisions\/29347"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}