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:

• Outpatients
• Radiology 
• Occupational Therapy
• Podiatry
• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)