Rheumatology
The Rheumatology Service at Poole Hospital aims to provide comprehensive and individual care for patients with inflammatory arthritis and their carers.
We recognise the importance of responding to the individual's needs, respecting their privacy, dignity, beliefs and values. Rheumatology practitioners aim to maintain or improve the quality of life for our patients and their carers. We work within the wider multi-disciplinary team, keeping the patient as the central focus of all care planning and delivery.
Our clinical expertise and practice is based on a core of professional knowledge and skills, supported by current research and founded on professional values. We endeavour to share our expertise through education to patients, carers and other health professionals.
Inflammatory arthritis can be a persistent and troublesome condition. It can have a big impact on your life, affecting your day-to-day activities and also your family and friends. Often the drug treatments for arthritis require careful monitoring to be used safely and effectively.
Range of Services Available
- Specialist diagnostic and treatment services for patients with all forms of rheumatic complaints including connective tissue diseases, inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, orthopedic medical conditions, paediatric rheumatology and osteoporosis.
- A monitoring and management service for patients with inflammatory arthritis
- Rehabilitation services for rheumatology patients with physical disability, in conjunction with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, chiropody, etc.
- Epidural injection clinic. 'Open access' for GP patient referral.
- A problem back pain clinic
- A combined Paediatric/Rheumatology clinic for children with arthritis
- A day case service for minor procedures including those requiring a
general anaesthetic
- An inpatient service for rheumatology patients and a consultancy service
for all hospitals
- Provision for Osteoporosis sufferers in conjunction with 'Osteoporosis Dorset', a medically led charitable trust aimed at prevention through education coupled with new methods of diagnosis and treatment
- Health care research
- A teaching service for trainee rheumatologist, GPs and
other health professionals
- An education and self help group for patients with inflammatory arthritis