"Care and support from the Rheumatology team"

I am very happy the clinic waiting area has moved to a quite and comfortable area. The previous area was noisy and draughty and no room for taking blood tests and blood pressure.

The rheumatology staff are very caring and always making sure I know my waiting time as there can be delays. The clinic lack of staffing is my biggest concern, there are only one permanent consultant, one specialist nurse and two nurses. There is a locum consultant at the moment and that helps with obtaining my 2 month appointments but when the locum leaves the clinic my appointments are cancelled and I am left without a 2 month follow-up appointment. I have to chase the Admin dept to try and get the earliest appointment which is not 2 months. This has a knock on effect due to my medication, I am unable to have my prescription filled because I need a 2 month blood test. I am in a catch 22 when there is only one permanent consultant available. I believe that to improve the rheumatology clinic there should be more permanent Consultants.