Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Service
The paediatric and adolescent rheumatology team diagnose and treat joint, muscle and bone disorders. We work closely with the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. This page gives you information about the clinics and the conditions we diagnose and treat. It also lists the services that are available to you and to introduce you to members of the team.
Clinics
We run 8 paediatric rheumatology clinics each month. At your appointment, you may see different members of the team, such as a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist or occupational therapist. They work together to help diagnose and treat your condition.
When you are called in for your appointment, a doctor or another member of the team will ask you about your aches and pains. They may also examine your joints. It can help to write down any questions before your appointment. This means you will not forget to ask them.
After your clinic appointment, you may need to see other members of the team, such as the rheumatology nurse specialist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist.
Sometimes, the doctor may ask you to have a blood test or scan to check your condition. This may be done on the same day, or we may send you another appointment.
Conditions we diagnose and treat
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis - including the different types: systemic arthritis, oligoarthritis, polyarticular arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis and undifferentiated arthritis
- Connective tissue diseases
- Juvenile dermatomyositis
- Hypermobility
- Raynaud’s syndrome
- Joint pain
- Uveitis
The team includes:
- Paediatric Consultant with an interest in rheumatology
- Paediatric Rheumatology Nurse Specialist
- Paediatric Occupational Therapist with an interest in rheumatology
- Paediatric Physiotherapist with an interest in rheumatology
- Paediatric Rheumatology Team secretary
Consent
If you are under the age of 16, your parents or carers still have responsibility to give permission for your care. Decisions about your treatment will be made with you, your parents or carers and your doctor.
Confidentiality
On rare occasions, it may be necessary to share information if we are concerned about your safety or the safety of others.
Transition to adult services
This takes place when you are 16 or 17 years of age and helps you feel confident to manage your healthcare.
Ready Steady Go Programme
Website: https://readysteadygo.net
Contact information
Paediatric Rheumatology Nurse Specialist
Tel: 0758 093 1230
Monday to Wednesday 09:00 am to 5:00 pm
Paediatric Rheumatology Team Secretary
Tel: 0300 422 3871
Monday to Wednesday 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
Further information
You can find more information about arthritis and rheumatology by visiting the following websites. You can type the website address into your internet browser.
Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR)
Website: www.jarproject.org
Versus Arthritis
Website: www.versusarthritis.org
CCAA (Kids with arthritis)
Website: www.ccaa.org.uk
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA at NRAS)
Website: https://jia.org.uk