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News & Media

Media Release

Date: 03 January 2017

Still time to provide feedback on the planned relocation of the RNHRD's Rheumatology and Therapies Services

There are still a couple of weeks left to feedback on the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust's (RUH) plan to move rheumatology and therapies services to a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre.

These services are currently provided from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases' (RNHRD) Mineral Water Hospital site, known locally as the 'Min'. In 2018 they will move to a new purpose built Centre on the RUH's Combe Park site, which will include a hydrotherapy pool, a state of the art gym, group rooms and improved waiting facilities. Patients who use these services will continue to be seen and treated by the same teams, only the location will change.

Patients, carers and those with an interest in the RNHRD's rheumatology and therapies services have until 17th January 2017 to share their views on the plan, as a three month engagement period draws to a close.

Questionnaires are available online for:

Paper copies are available at the RNHRD or on request or feedback can be sent via email ruh-tr.haveyoursay@nhs.net or to PALS Office, RUH Bath NHS Trust, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG.

Dr Raj Sengupta, Consultant Rheumatologist and lead for the Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) service says, "We have really appreciated hearing people's views, and we are grateful to those who have already attended an event, dropped us an email or filled in a questionnaire. We want to continue to provide the best services for current and future patients, so we're keen to hear from as many people as possible to help us shape our future."

The RNHRD's Clinical Measurement service provides bone mineral densitometry (DEXA scanning) and specialist imaging and measurement services. It's closely linked with the rheumatology and therapies services provided at the Min site, so will relocate at the same time to the RUH's Nuclear Medicine Department before a final move to the RUH's Dyson Cancer Centre, due to open in 2020.

Moving these services is part of a careful and phased approach to relocating all RNHRD services over a three year period from the Mineral Hospital site to the RUH or appropriate community based settings, to maximise patient benefit.

ENDS
Notes to editors

Rheumatology Service

Clinical services provided by the Rheumatology Service at the Min site include:

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis service
  • Biologics Service
  • Connective Tissue Disease Service
  • Fibromyalgia Service
  • General Rheumatology
  • Hypermobility
  • Metabolic bone diseases
  • Performing arts medicine clinic
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Sports and Exercise medicine service

Rheumatology Therapies Services

The Rheumatology Therapies service at the Min site provides a wide range of assessment, treatment and interventions for those with musculoskeletal and rheumatology conditions. These include:

  • Physiotherapy service including hydrotherapy
  • Occupational therapy services
  • Podiatry service
  • Orthotics service
  • Dermatology
  • Educational activities for the management of long term conditions through multidisciplinary programmes for adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, lupus and scleroderma
  • Specialist Ankylosing Spondylitis multidisciplinary residential course

Clinical Measurement Service

The RNHRD's Clinical Measurement service provides imaging and measurement services which enable doctors and clinicians to give accurate diagnosis and optimum treatment to patients and includes:

  • Bone mineral densitometry (DEXA scanning)
  • Specialist imaging and measurement

RNHRD and Therapies Centre
(Artist's impression - credit IBI Architects) RNHRD and Therapies Centre - artists impression

More information on the planned RNHRD and Therapies Centre is available on our Fit for the Future web site.

Inpatient and residential accommodation will still be made available at for those who require these services, the exact location has not yet been finalised.


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