What is a Rheumatology Nurse Specialist?
The Rheumatology Nurse Specialists are nurses who have chosen to specialise in caring for people with rheumatological conditions. They have received extensive training in rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine.
The nurses carry out regular patient reviews in dedicated clinics and provide a wide variety of services (see below). Some of the members of this team can prescribe medications and provide joints injections. They are all supported by the Rheumatology Consultants.
The Rheumatology Nurses are there to enhance rather than replace the care you will be given by your Consultants.
All of the team in Edinburgh are working towards Advanced Nursing Practice qualifications with a focus on Rheumatology.
Some of the services provided by the Rheumatology Nurse Specialists
- A dedicated Rheumatology telephone advice line
- Nurse-led general review clinics
- Joint injection clinics
- Biologics clinics
- Virtual blood monitoring
- Medication telephone review clinics
- Medication counselling
- General education and self-management advice
The Rheumatology Advice Line
Due to the ongoing pressures created by the pandemic, the Clinical Nurse Specialists have been redeployed to assist with the response to COVID-19. Please refer to the frequently asked questions and COVID-19 section, where we have tried to answer most queries, before contacting the Advice Line.
This is an answer phone where you can leave a message and the nurse will get back to you as soon as they can. Your query will be referred to another member of the team if needed.
Please note that we can only answer calls from patients seen by the Rheumatic Diseases Unit, with an allocated consultant.
The Rheumatology Advice Line number: 0131 537 1405
Osteoporosis helpline: 0131 537 2697
