About Us
The service is provided by a specialist team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants.
Examples of rheumatological conditions include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Axial Spondyloarthopathies, Joint Hypermobility (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) Lupus and Fibromyalgia.
Our team motto is ‘restoring function, relieving pain, renewing hope’.
How to access Rheumatology Therapy
The majority of our referrals are from a Rheumatologist , but we do accept referrals from any health care professional.
If you think you would benefit from a rheumatology therapy assessment and treatment please contact your consultant or GP Practice for a referral.
Your appointment
After we receive your referral, your referral is reviewed and prioritised to determine the level of urgency of the condition.
The level of urgency will determine how soon the appointment is.
Often, we have to keep a waiting list and you will be contacted via phone or letter when an appointment becomes available. Please ensure the person or department making your referral has your most up to date address and contact telephone details.
Planning for your appointment
Your first appointment will be face to face and will be booked for 60 minutes. If you would specifically like to request a telephone or video consultation, please make our booking team aware when arranging your appointment. Please note, for the majority of conditions, a physical examination will be required, therefore a face to face appointment would be recommended.
Consider wearing clothes that you can move easily in and that may allow the physiotherapist to see your problem area if necessary.
Please bring a list of medication with you on the day.
During your appointment
You will discuss your problem with the therapist. They will ask questions relating to your problem, which might include:
- The history of your condition
- Activities that influence your symptoms
- Your general health and wellbeing
- Medical history and medication
- Your work, hobbies, commitments and interests and how they are affected
- Your GOALs, what you are wanting to achieve from therapy
The therapist will discuss their assessment findings and the treatment options that they think may be helpful to you. Together you will agree a plan.
You will have the opportunity to ask the therapist questions.
The physiotherapist will explain how they can help or support you with your problem by looking at your mobility, movement and strangth. They will discuss changes that you can make, or exercises that may aid your recovery and future health. Experience has shown that your active participation will help you to manage your condition more effectively.
The Occupational Therapists may help you manage your condition by looking at your home environment, joint protection, fatigue management, relaxation and sleep hygiene.
As we are a teaching hospital, students supervised by qualified staff might be involved in your care. If you do not want to be treated by a student then please tell us. We will always respect your wishes.
If you need a chaperone, interpreter or hospital transport (criteria dependant) then please let us know when you book your appointment.
Cancelling your appointment
If you are running late or unable to make your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible on 01302 644200.
If you are late, we may not be able to see you as this can cause delays for patients who have appointments after you.
If you fail to attend your appointments and have not notified us, you will be discharged from our service. If you still require an appointment, you will need to get another referral.
Our locations
We offer a rheumatology therapy services at our Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospital sites. The links below will give you the address details of all sites.
Doncaster Royal Infirmary How to find us information can be found here.
Bassetlaw Hospital How to find us information can be found here.
If you are ever struggling and require additional support, contact the rheumatology nurse helpline number 01302 644101. They will be able to book you in and address your current problem.
Patient Information Resources
You can access and download information and exercise leaflets to help support your condition at the following links:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
Ankylosing Spondyloarthropathies
National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society https://nass.co.uk/
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/
Joint Hypermobility
Verus Arthritis: Joint Hypermobility https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/joint-hypermobility/
Ehlers-Danlos Support UK https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/
The Hypermobility Syndromes Association https://www.hypermobility.org/
Fibromyalgia
Versus Arthritis: Fibromyalgia https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/fibromyalgia/
NHS: Fibromyalgia https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/
Content out of date? Information wrong or not clear enough? Report this page.