Rheumatology services return to community hospital

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it is "thrilled" to extend the service out to the community

Rheumatology patients no longer need to travel as far for treatment after an outpatient speciality clinic returned to a community hospital.

Services to help patients with arthritis and bone disorders are now available at Minehead Hospital for the first time in a decade.

It means more than 1,000 patients do not need to travel to Musgrove Park in Taunton or Yeovil hospital for face-to-face appointments.

Somerset’s other community hospitals are also set to offer a service too, including Bridgwater, Chard, South Petherton, Wellington and Crewkerne.

Professor Patrick Kiely, a consultant rheumatologist in London, worked with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to make it happen.

"I am a strong advocate for care closer to home, and these clinics, supported by the administrative and nursing colleagues in the rheumatology team at Musgrove Park, are now a reality for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders living in North West Somerset," he said.

'Best possible choices'

Consultant rheumatologist service lead for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Luke Gompels, said: “Following long term planning with Patrick, we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to extend our service back out into the community, as well as supporting people with virtual reviews by telephone or video call too.

“All of our patients in Somerset have told us that this is what they want, and it’s great news that these community clinics have returned, particularly for those with chronic conditions.

“We now have an opportunity to build the service with a multidisciplinary team, including additional specialist nurses.”

Dr Gompels said there are about 1,200 patients on high-cost medications in Somerset to treat rheumatological conditions.

They range from gout to auto-immune diseases, like lupus.

“By restarting these clinics, we’re giving them better access to the service they need, so they can make the best possible choices about their care,” Dr Gompels said.