Rheumatology Outpatient Department

Rheumatology Out- Patient Departments

Rheumatology provides Outpatient services at Worcester, Kidderminster, Redditch, Evesham and Malvern. At Worcester the Rheumatology Outpatients clinic is in its own department in Aconbury West. At the other hospitals it can be part of the general outpatients departments running other clinics as well.  Outpatient Departments are usually open Monday to Friday and are closed at weekends and on bank holidays.

Where you are seen may depend on your locality, your consultant or the type of appointment you are attending. You may wish to check directions and car parking prior to your attendance on the Trust website. It may be beneficial if someone could drop you off outside the Rheumatology Outpatient Department or to get a bus.

What happens when I arrive?

On your arrival into the Rheumatology Outpatient Department for your appointment you should approach the front desk and you will be greeted by a receptionist. The receptionist will confirm your details and ask you to take a seat. There are likely to be a number of different rheumatology clinics running simultaneously. A member of the Outpatient team will then take you into a room to take observations such as blood pressure and weight. A urine sample is also often needed to test. Prior to coming to clinic if you can obtain a urine sample that is beneficial. A list of your current medications is also very helpful for the doctor or specialist nurse. If you are having an ultrasound scan or a joint injection observations are not required. You will then be asked to take a seat before being called in by the clinician you are scheduled to see.

What happens during the consultation?

At the time of your appointment the Doctor or Specialist Nurse will call you into their consulting room. A clinical assessment will be performed which will include a physical examination and a range of questions. There may be a medical or nursing student present as these clinics are an important part of their education. You have the right to decline the student being present without any impact on your care.

If you would like a chaperone during your consultation or for any part of it, please do not hesitate to ask the Doctor or Specialist Nurse and one of the Outpatient team would be more than happy to assist. There are many leaflets and reading materials available on different conditions and medications. The Doctor or Specialist Nurse will ensure you are given all of the appropriate ones as it is hard to remember everything in a consultation.

Whilst the department strives to keep to time, some consultations can take longer than expected, so there may be delays to your appointment time. We advise you bring a book or magazine. Drinking water is available; please ask one of the nurses or health care assistants.

The Doctor or Specialist Nurse may have requested for you to have a blood test or an X-ray.  Blood tests can usually be performed within the department by one of the team of nurses or health care assistants. X-rays are carried out in a separate department.

Following your consultation with your Doctor or Specialist Nurse it may have been recommended for you to have a steroid injection either into your joint or an intramuscular injection. The steroid intramuscular injection can be administered by one of the nurses after your consultation. The steroid joint injection will be arranged for another date and an appointment letter will be sent to you in the post.

You may have been given a form by the doctor or specialist nurse to hand into reception; this is to ensure the next appointment for you is booked.

Can I ask questions?

We encourage you to ask questions during your time with us. The Rheumatology outpatient department team are more than happy to answer any questions and if we do not know the answer we will try our best to find out. You are also encouraged to ask questions during your consultation, it may be helpful to write a couple down before you come.

Can I bring someone?

We would encourage you to bring someone with you to the appointment, it often helps to have another pair of ears!