Appointments

Rheumatology

How to get an appointment

Your GP or hospital doctor can refer you.

Changing or cancelling your appointment

To book, change or cancel your appointment, including blood tests.

Phone: 020 7188 5900

Please give us more than 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

Please call us if you're running late. If you're more than 30 minutes late we may not be able to see you. 

Before your appointment

Please bring a list of any medicines you are taking to your appointment.

During your appointment

Your appointment may be:

You'll be told when your appointment is booked.

If your appointment is face-to-face, please arrive no more than 20 minutes early. Please do not bring anyone with you, unless you are coming with a carer.

We may discharge you back to the person who referred you if you:

  • do not come to your appointment
  • tell us you cannot make your appointment

Your appointment may take up to 3 hours.

When you arrive our receptionist will check you in. You may see a nurse and have a blood test. The nurse may also:

  • take your blood pressure
  • take your pulse
  • weigh you
  • ask you for a urine sample

This can happen before or after you see the doctor.

We allow 30 minutes for a new appointment and 20 minutes for a follow-up appointment. We may decide you need more or less time.

Your appointment may not always start on time because of this. We aim to see you within 1 hour of your given appointment time.

After your appointment

If you need a follow-up appointment we'll discuss this with you at your appointment. A letter will be sent to you and your GP.

If you're experiencing a flare of your condition or need some urgent rheumatology clinical advice, please contact us. This is for existing patients only.

Last updated: April 2024

Do you have any comments or concerns about your care?

Contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

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