We provide a comprehensive range of specialist services for patients with diseases and conditions affecting their bones, joints, tendons and muscles and ligaments. Our team use state of the art technology and pioneering drug therapies to give our patients the best care possible.
If you would like an appointment with the rheumatology team you will need to be referred by your GP or a hospital consultant.
Your consultant will normally refer you to a rheumatology nurse once a diagnosis has been made or when your drug treatment has started or changed. You can ask to see the nurse at any time if you are attending one of the consultant clinics in the department. We offer a range of high quality services across our sites.
At Mile End and Whipps Cross, our team run general rheumatology services and also a number of highly specialist outpatient clinics including:
- Anti-TNF
- bone clinic (osteoporosis and other metabolic bone disorders)
- chronic pain (in association with the pain service
- connective tissue disease / lupus
- early arthritis
- inflammatory back pain
- methotrexate clinic (pharmacy run)
- nurse supervision
- renal lupus clinic (multidisciplinary)
- research
- rheumatology / pregnancy clinic
- sjögren's
- sports and exercise medicine
- sports clinic (multidisciplinary)
- ultrasound
- ultrasound guided injection
- young adult rheumatology
- a musculo-skeletal service - physiotherapy led with consultant supervision, for rapid treatment of muscular, soft tissue injuries including sport related injuries.
- separate nurse-led clinics for patient education, support and advice and for monitoring patients on TNF alpha therapies.
The Centre runs weekly clinics and monthly multidisciplinary clinics and is part of the rheumatology department. The multidisciplinary clinic has input from sports physicians, rheumatology, orthopaedics, radiology, physiotherapy and podiatry.
We are one of the country’s leading centres for treating inflammatory conditions including inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory connective tissue disease.
Many of our patients benefit from new drug treatments that can successfully manage some of the symptoms of their disorders. We are pioneers in the use of biological (TNF alpha) agents that are used to suppress pain and inflammation in inflammatory arthritis. These highly effective drugs work by copying the effects of substances that are naturally made by the body’s immune system.
Over two thirds of our patients with aggressive rheumatoid arthritis, who are intolerant of (or unresponsive to) first-line tablets, have become pain-free and more mobile with the latest biological agents (TNF alpha) that are available to all of our departments.
The drugs include:
- Adalimumab
- Etanercept
- Golimumab
- Infliximab
- Rituximab
- Tocilizumab.
We have been monitoring the effectiveness of these treatments for over ten years, in clinical trials led by our team. Patients with inflammatory arthritis can receive early targeted aggressive TNF therapy through participating in clinical trials.
You may have some questions about our service and the conditions we treat.
What is a rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist is a doctor who has had specialist training in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues and bones, including arthritis.
What conditions do rheumatologists treat?
There are over 100 rheumatic diseases – including arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain disorders and osteoporosis. Arthritis Research UK and Arthritis Care have a lot of information about the various conditions on their website.
When should I see a rheumatologist?
Many conditions can be successfully managed by GPs. However, you may need a specialist assessment from a rheumatologist if you have severe or long lasting symptoms.
What does a rheumatology nurse practitioner / specialist do?
They are trained nurses with experience in looking after the physical, emotional and social needs of people with arthritic conditions. This includes patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and lupus.
For Mile End
By telephone:
Outpatient reception: 020 8223 8400
Nurse specialists: 020 8223 8407
Senior secretary: 020 8223 8859
Outpatient manager: 020 8223 8406
Location: Ground Floor of the hospital.
Clinic hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
For Newham
By telephone:
Tel: 020 7055 5800
Location: Health Central, Ground Floor of the hospital.
Clinic hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-5pm
For the Silverthorn Medical Centre (previously Chingford Hospital)
Tel: 020 8430 7210
Address:
2 Friars Close
Larkshall Road
London
E4 6UN
For St Bartholomew’s Hospital and The Royal London
Call the main switchboard on: 0203 416 5000
For Whipps Cross
Tel: 020 8539 5522
Location: main outpatients department, Yellow Zone - access can be made from Hospital Road.
Arthritis Support Group
Walter Newby Centre, Bethnal Green Methodist Church, Approach Rd, London E2
Contact Debbie Chagadama on: 020 8223 8868.
Lupus Support Group
Meetings are on the first Saturday of each month at Latimer Church, Ernest Street, E1 LLS Contact Jane Dinnage on: 020 8981 2766
National Osteoporosis Society Support Group
Meetings are held at: St Thomas of Canterbury Church, 557-559 High Road, Woodford Green. Essex, IG8 ORB.
Tel: 012 7736 5765 (after 6pm)
