Rheumatology

We care for patients who have disorders affecting their joints, muscles, bones and ligaments. Our Rheumatology Department provides specialist services to Redcliffe and the surrounding area as well as Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast and the Wide Bay region.

Our services

We provide a range of diagnostic and treatment services to people suffering acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease including arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Arthritis mainly affects the joints while other musculoskeletal conditions can also affect the joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Autoimmune diseases also commonly affect the musculoskeletal system but many of the conditions rheumatologists treat may affect the rest of the body, including eyes, skin, internal organs and the nervous system. Treatments include:

• medication tablets and injections
• local corticosteroid injections
• advice to GPs, other specialists and allied health professionals  on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Please note, rheumatologists do not perform surgical procedures.

How to access this service

GP or medical practitioner referral

To access this service, your GP or medical practitioner will need to send a referral letter to the hospital.

Once your referral has been assessed, you will receive a confirmation letter with your category on the waiting list. You will later receive an appointment-booking letter or we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for your appointment. Wait times will vary at our outpatient clinics with urgent appointments seen as soon as possible.

Inpatient referral

We also accept inpatient referrals (urgent only) from the hospital.

Appointment times

Rheumatology clinics at Redcliffe Hospital are open during the following times:

• Main Building—Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
• North Block—Friday mornings

After your hospital appointment

You may be advised that you require further treatment such as physiotherapy, other allied health professional support or medication either prescribed or over the counter. You will be told at the visit if you need to book a follow up appointment.

What to bring

Clinics