Our Rheumatology department offers a wide range of services to diagnose and treat joint, bone and connective tissue diseases in adults and children.
There are over 200 types of rheumatic diseases, with arthritis being the second most common cause for time off work. Early diagnosis and treatment is therefore essential in ensuring that patients can control their disease and return to work.
Rheumatology outpatient services for BSUH NHS Trust are provided at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, Hove Polyclinic and Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
The rheumatology department offers high quality multidisciplinary care supported by nurse specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists & excellent specialist radiology services.
As benefits a department in a teaching hospital we have a strong teaching commitment and often have medical students in our clinics. We train junior doctors who are wishing to become rheumatologists as well as those who wish to gain some experience in the specialty.
In keeping with best quality clinical care we are actively involved in clinical trials and research to ensure our patients have access to the most up to date treatments.
Contacts
Royal Sussex County Hospital and Hove Polyclinic
Rheumatology Appointments enquiries
Princess Royal Hospital
Rheumatology Appointments enquiries
Referrals
Referrals can be made for a range of conditions, including:
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Inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis &ankylosing spondylitis)
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Osteoarthritis (non-surgical)
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Osteoporosis
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Polymyalgia rheumatica & giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)
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Gout & other crystal deposition diseases
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Connective tissue disease
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Vasculitis
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Sarcoidosis
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Back, neck, shoulder and soft tissue pain
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Chronic widespread pain including fibromyalgia
Specialist Clinics:
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Early inflammatory arthritis
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Nurse led biologic clinics
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Connective tissue disease & vasculitis
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HIV associated musculoskeletal disease
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Paediatric Rheumatology
Clinical team
Our team comprises 5 NHS and 3 Academic Consultants, 1 Associate Specialist doctor, 2 Specialist Registrars & 4 Clinical Nurse Specialists working across 2 sites. We are supported by an experienced team of secretarial and administrative staff.
To contact a consultant please contact the hospital switchboard team, either 01273 696955 for the Royal Sussex County Hospital, or 01444 441811 for the Princess Royal Hospital and ask to be put through to the relevant secretary's extension detailed below.
Lead Clinician: Dr Vijay Hajela
Service Manager: Tracey Rose
RSCH Consultants:
Dr George Papasavvas - Secretary extn. 4631
Dr Melvyn Walters - Secretary extn. 3553
Professor Kevin Davies - Secretary extn. 4631
Dr Inam Haq - Secretary extn. 4631
Dr Karen Walker-Bone - Secretary extn. 4631
Associate Specialist: Dr Raj Selvaraju - Secretary extn. 3553
RSCH and PRH Consultants:
Dr Vijay Hajela - Secretary RSCH extn. 3553, PRH extn. 5432
Dr Kelsey M Jordan - Secretary RSCH extn. 3553, PRH extn. 5984
PRH Consultants:
Dr Brenda Stuart - Secretary extn. 5484
Specialist Registrars: PRH Bleep 6450, RSCH Bleep 8389
Clinical Nurse Specialists:
Amanda McAndrews
Helen Smith
Cathy Sarsfield-Watson
Susannah Usher
Useful web links
General links
Arthritis Research UK – UK charity leading the fight against arthritis through funding research. Wide range of patient information on drugs and disease
National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) – providing help and advice for patients with rheumatoid and their carers
British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) – The professional society for UK rheumatologists with a patient advice area and links to specialist websites
Arthritis Care – charity which exists to care for people with arthritis
American College of Rheumatology – The professional society for US rheumatologists with patient advice area and links to specialist websites
European League Against Rheumatism – European organisation with members drawn from all over Europe dedicated to research and education
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) – Government website with latest drug and procedure appraisals
Specialist links
Behçet’s Syndrome Society - The official UK patient support group for people with Behçet’s disease
British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine – representing Sports and Exercise medicine professionals in the UK
British Sjogren's Syndrome Association - Registered charity that aims to educate people about Sjogren's Syndrome, raise awareness about the symptoms, and support research into its cause and treatment
British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR) – aims to advance paediatric rheumatology in the UK via training and raising awareness
Ehlers-Danlos Support Group - Includes medical information, various support groups and events, the latest research on EDS, advice on how to cope with living with EDS,and an interactive message board to discuss personal issues on EDS
Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine – raising standards in Sports and Exercise medicine.
Fibromyalgia Association – provides help, support and education to patients, carers and professionals
UK Gout society – help and advice for gout sufferers
Hypermobility Syndrome Association - Aims to provide support and information to those affected and to promote knowledge and understanding within the medical community and the public at large
Lupus UK – national charity supporting patients with lupus
Marfans Association – providing help and advice to patients and professionals
Myositis Support Group – charity providing support and information for patients and professionals about childhood and adult myositis
National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society – support and advice for patients and professionals
National Osteoporosis Society – support group raising awareness of osteoporosis
Paget’s Association – for those with Pagets and those who treat it
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance – UK charity dedicated to people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Raynauds and Scleroderma Association - National charity committed to raising awareness of these potentially devastating diseases and raising money for essential research in order to determine cause, enhance treatment and find a cure
Scleroderma society - Aims to offer support to patients who often feel isolated, to increase awareness of the disease and to raise money for vital research
Vasculitis – The Stuart Strange Trust provides help and support for patients
