If you have a condition affecting your joints, bones, muscles or immune system, we can help diagnose and treat you.
Information about our advice line
North Tyneside General Hospital
| Consultant | Secretary contact number |
|---|---|
| Dr Ismael Atchia | 0191 293 4150 |
| Nicola Scrafton (extended scope practitioner) | 0191 293 4150 |
| Dr Matthew Grove | 0191 293 2585 |
| Dr Rebecca Alexander | 0191 293 2585 |
| Dr Muhammad Meraj | 0191 293 2585 |
Wansbeck General Hospital
| Consultant | Secretary contact number |
|---|---|
| Dr Elizabeth Coulson (head of service) | 01670 529903 |
| Professor Fraser Birrell | 01670 529903 |
| Dr Oliver Clarke (GP with special interest) | 01670 529903 |
| Dr Iain Goff | 01670 529402 |
| Dr Kiran Khokhar | 01670 529402 |
Hexham General Hospital
| Consultant | Secretary contact number |
|---|---|
| Dr Andrea Myers | 01434 655336 |
| Dr Ismael Atchia | 01434 655336 |
Alnwick Infirmary
| Consultant | Secretary contact number |
|---|---|
| Professor Fraser Birrell | 01665 626757 and 01665 626771 |
| Dr Matthew Grove | 01665 626757 and 01665 626771 |
Berwick Infirmary
| Consultant | Secretary contact number |
|---|---|
| Professor Fraser Birrell | 01289 356628 |
| Dr Matthew Grove | 01289 356628 |
Rheumatology specialist nurses
Nurses: Joann Evans - lead nurse, Marie Kanu McGuckin, Sarah Coulson, Karen Black, Toni Coull, Hilary Wrightson, Trudy Parkin, Donna Gray, Sarah-Jane Gladstone, Ashton Fearon.
Helpline number: 0191 293 4159
Other team contact details
Occupational therapy
01670 529449
For self-referral to rheumatology physiotherapy
Wansbeck and Blyth - 01670 564010
North Tyneside - 0191 293 4064
Hexham - 01434 655031
Alnwick - 01665 626787
Berwick - 01289 356643
Pharmacy
Lewis Sutherland (pharmacist) and Malcolm Walpole (pharmacy technician) - 0191 293 4150 or 0191 293 2585
Podiatry
01670 396461
Referral to Rheumatology is via your GP or physiotherapy team. If you are diagnosed with an inflammatory condition by Rheumatology you will be given our advice line telephone numbers.
- North Tyneside General Hospital
- Wansbeck General Hospital
- Hexham General hospital
- Berwick Infirmary
- Alnwick Infirmary
- Morpeth NHS Centre
- Blyth community hospital
Rheumatology covers multiple conditions affecting the immune system, bones, joints and muscles as well as soft tissues (connective tissues).
Examples include Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoporosis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (in patients over the age of 16 years), Polymyalgia rheumatica, Connective tissue diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) Sjogren’s and Systemic sclerosis and vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) such as giant cell arteritis. This list is not exhaustive.
To make a diagnosis we will talk to you about your symptoms, examine you, and often arrange tests which may include blood tests, X rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans.
Once we have reached a diagnosis we will support you in deciding which treatment(s) are likely to help manage your condition. These treatments might include medications, such as painkillers, anti-inflammatories, steroids or treatments to control your condition which are known as DMARDs or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Sometimes we may give treatments by injection or infusion and the team will explain the reasons for this if needed. Non-drug therapies, support and education are provided by our multidisciplinary team depending on your needs.
We like to see you as early as possible because we know that early treatment can lead to better patient outcomes in the longer term.
Sometimes we need to involve other specialists or services to support you in managing your condition, for example the ‘living well with pain’ team, orthopedic surgeons or other medical specialists.
We aim to enable you in living as normal a life as possible with your rheumatological condition and to support you in making decisions about your healthcare and treatments at every step.
Appointments may be either face-to-face in an outpatient department or by telephone or video call, your appointment letter will advise you on the type of appointment.
Versus Arthritis - www.versusarthritis.org
National rheumatoid arthritis society - nras.org.uk
The Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis alliance - www.papaa.org
National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society - nass.co.uk
The British Sjogren’s Syndrome Association - www.bssa.uk.net
Lupus UK - www.lupusuk.org.uk
Living Well with Pain - livewellwithpain.co.uk
Juvenile Arthritis - www.
Vasculitis Society - www.vasculitis.org.uk
Stop Smoking Help - www.northumbria.nhs.uk/stopsmoking
Also:
Royal Osteoporosis Society – https://
Arthur’s place - https:/
Further information about Occupational and Social Care:
Adult Social Care | North Tyneside Council
www.
Video consultations
We can offer online consultations where appropriate via a video call to make it easier for you to attend.
Rather than travelling to your appointment, you will receive a text or email before your appointment and simply need to click to join. Find out more here.