Rheumatology

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Assessment and management of musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern Region

Paediatric rheumatology patients to the age of 15 years please refer to Paediatric Clinic

Suspected or known ankylosing spondylitis refer to Inflammatory Spinal Clinic

Suspected or known scleroderma refer to Scleroderma Clinic

For open access zolendronic acid infusion please refer to the RHH Ambulatory Care Centre via link on by the osteoporosis/osteomalacia page.

Degenerative and soft tissue conditions are unable to be seen in this clinic at this time. Please refer to HealthPathways for guidance.

For non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, consider a General Medical Clinic in the first instance if the person cannot be managed in the primary care setting.

Patients with possible fibromyalgia  can be referred non-urgently for diagnostic purposes and initial management advice.


THS Northern and North West Regions

Refer to General Medicine.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):

  • Acutely unwell patients with SLE or Vasculitis.
  • Patients with symptoms of giant cell/ temporal arthritis, acute visual loss, jaw claudication, severe persistent unilateral headache, raised inflammatory markers.
  • Patients with suspected Septic Arthritis – acute hot swollen joint with fever and high inflammatory markers.

Referral process

A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

All referrals triaged and allocated to Consultant or Unit Registrar. Registrar cases will be discussed with Consultant.

Urgent referrals (eg temporal arteritis, septic arthritis) should be accompanied by a phone call to the Rheumatology Registrar or Consultant for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed to the Emergency Department.

Please forward relevant clinical history including current and past management, co morbidities, social and work history, investigation results and ask patients to bring current medication list and, if appropriate, any relevant x-rays.

Clinic Appointments - Appointments are based on clinical priority:

Emergency

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent / category 1

Please discuss with registrar or consultant. We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks.

Urgent referrals (e.g. temporal arteritis, septic arthritis) should be accompanied by a phone call to the Rheumatology Registrar or Consultant for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed to the Emergency Department.

Semi-urgent / category 2

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine / category 3

Next available appointment

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

Additional information

Patient information advice is found at Arthritis Australia