"Selly Oak Hospital - Rheumatology Department"

The Rheumatology Department of Selly Oak Hospital is first rate. The staff are helpful, respectful and work hard to improve relationships with patients.

I started out as Chairman of the Selly oak Patients user group, but that group has evolved into part of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) for South Birmingham for which I am Convener. I do this work because I believe in the efforts of the Alliance and also the efforts of the staff within Selly Oak Hospital's Rheumatology Department to improve their efficiency and relationships with patients under their care. I single out no individuals, but complement the Department as a whole, for they work as an effective team.

We are working, within the ARMA's network, to improve the experience and care (long term and short term) of patients with musculoskeletal problems. This goes from early diagnosis in primary care to referral to Consultant specialists and on to ongoing care and treatment. Currently, we are striving to gain recognition within the community, change the method of training of G.P.'s to accommodate the increasing problems associated with musculoskeletal diseases, which form 20% of all patients that pass through the doors of primary care practices. This proportion of patients is not reflected in the amount of time that G.P.s' training (undergraduate and postgraduate) involves these diseases. It is time that this changed.

Despite these difficulties, the Selly Oak Hospital's rheumatology department does its very best with its resources to ensure that patients get the best treatment available. For this, they deserve the highest praise.

Greg Jones

Convener ARMA - South Birmingham

snowdon@msn.com