Rheumatology patient helpline
Rheumatology patient helpline: 01296 255770
What is the telephone helpline service?
The helpline is an answerphone service run by the Rheumatology Specialist Nurses. It is a service for patients under the care of the rheumatology team at the Trust for advice and information about your condition or medication.
You may leave a message on the helpline answerphone from Monday – Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) between 8am and 12 noon.
When should I use the helpline?
- If you are experiencing a ‘flare’ of your symptoms and need information and advice.
- If you think you may be having side-effects from your medication or from treatment administered in the rheumatology department.
- If you have been asked to contact the department by one of the rheumatology team.
- If you require information and advice which cannot wait until your next scheduled appointment.
What information should I leave in my answerphone message?
- Please listen carefully to all the options.
- Press option 4 for leaving a message for the Specialist Nurses
- Please speak slowly and clearly and leave the following information:
- your full name
- your patient number (MRN) OR NHS number OR date of birth.
- a phone number you can be contacted on for a return call.
- a brief message about the problem or the information required.
When will someone get back to me?
- We will usually call you back within 2 working days, but this may take longer at busy times.
- The call back will be between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
- Patients are responded to in date order and according to clinical need.
- We will only make 2 attempts to return your call and the call may show as ‘withheld or unknown number’ on your phone.
Please note:
- Please do not leave duplicate messages or call the rheumatology secretaries.
- Relatives or carers are welcome to leave a message but due to confidentiality we can only respond to the patient, unless we have explicit instructions that we may contact relatives on the patient’s behalf.
Links to other services:
The helpline is NOT an Emergency Service.
If you have an urgent problem, you should contact your GP or other emergency services as appropriate.