Rheumatology
We care for people suffering from arthritis, inflammatory connective tissue disease and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Phone reception
7074 2779
Email Rheumatology Unit
HealthCNAHSRAHRheumatology@sa.gov.au
What we do
The Rheumatology Unit provides inpatient and outpatient services for patients who suffer from arthritis, inflammatory connective tissue disease and other autoimmune multi-systemic and musculoskeletal disorders.
Services
- Inpatient admissions and consultations
- Outpatient clinic consultations for diagnosis and management including advanced scope physiotherapy-led new patient assessment clinic
- Joint aspiration
- Ancillary services for selected patients, developing self management programs
- Hypnosis clinic
- Rheumatological ultrasonography.
Where to find us
Outpatient Clinics are held at two different locations. Check your appointment information to confirm where to go.
Rapid access clinics are held daily for emergency referrals.
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Level 3 (ground floor)
Check screens on arrival at the RAH for specific location. Check in with reception staff.
Go to Level 3, RAH mapLevel 1/21 North Terrace, Adelaide
Opposite the RAH
Check in with reception staff on arrival.
Go to mapWho we are
The team consists of consultants, nurses, allied health and research professionals applying evidence-based, best practice care.
We also work closely with other specialist units to provide a comprehensive service for the multi-systemic complications of rheumatological diseases.
Consultants
- Prof Susanna Proudman – Head of Unit
- Dr Rachel Black
- Dr David Bursill
- Professor Catherine Hill
- Dr Anita Lee
- Professor Vidya Limaye
- Dr Joanna Tieu
- Assoc Prof Jenny Walker.
Allied Health
- Alison Wigg - Rheumatology Senior Physiotherapist
Nursing team
- Leah McWilliams - Nurse Practitioner
- Jing Xing - Clinical Nurse.
You need a referral from a GP or other medical practitioner to access this service.
Once your referral has been received it will be triaged according to clinical urgency.
If your referral is accepted, you will either:
- receive a letter, phone call or text message confirming your appointment time, date and location
- receive a letter confirming you have been waitlisted for an appointment.
If the referral is declined, your GP or referring medical practitioner will be notified.
Outpatient services
Find out information about specialist outpatient appointments, how to be referred, plus information when attending an outpatient clinic.
Your outpatient appointment
Before your consultation, you may be asked to fill in a questionnaire about your health.
We will review the answers with you and ask about your symptoms. You will be examined and the specialist will review investigations such as blood tests, X-rays and scans. We will then assess and discuss your rheumatology condition with you.
We will work with you and other members of your healthcare team to decide on the best treatment options for you.
As well as advice about exercise, diet and other ways to improve your health and wellbeing, one or more of the many medicines used to treat rheumatological conditions may be suggested. You will be given information about these medications and possible side effects.
Taking medicines as prescribed and monitoring for the potential side effects is the key to managing your rheumatology condition.
All medicines may cause side effects, and many can be picked up early by regular assessment and/or blood tests every few weeks. Understanding your medications, regular monitoring and working with your rheumatology team and your General Practitioner (GP) can help detect and reduce the impact of side effects.
Many rheumatological medicines can be prescribed by your GP but some such as biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and medicines for pulmonary arterial hypertension, need a specialist application to Medicare Australia.
If this is the case for you, make sure you attend your appointment and you have a blood test beforehand.
To learn more about your medicines, refer to the product information in the pack. Get more information on medications from Rheumatology Australia - Medication Information.
If you are unsure or having concerns, contact your Rheumatology team.
Change or cancel your outpatient appointment
Contact us to:
- change your appointment time
- cancel your appointment
- find out triage status
- general outpatient enquiries.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment time, let us know as soon as possible.
Resources
- Arthritis Australia
- Australian Rheumatology Association
- Myositis Association Australia
- Pulmonary Hypertension Association Australia
- RAH Rheumatology - Consumer Information Sheet (ADDING PDF)
- Scleroderma Australia
- Scleroderma fact sheet - The Lung Foundation Australia
We accept GP and specialist referrals to this service.
eReferrals are preferred.
Use the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC) as a referral guide.
To ensure timely triage, include all demographic and clinical details.
The service triages referrals according to clinical urgency.
Urgent and serious referrals
If you are concerned about the appointment being delayed or if the patient's condition is deteriorating, contact the on call consultant to discuss.
Patients requiring immediate assessment should be sent directly to the Emergency Department.
Discharge guidelines
Patients whose medical condition has stabilised or resolved, and where no further appointment has been made, will be formally discharged.
If medical assessment is required again, a new referral should be made explaining the reason.