Rheumatology outpatient service in CALHN
Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) Rheumatology outpatient services are provided at Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH). The Rheumatology Unit provides inpatient and outpatient services for patients living in CALHN area who suffer from arthritis, inflammatory connective tissue disease and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Services are also provided to patients referred from rural and remote areas.
Services include:
- outpatient clinic consultations for diagnosis and management
- inpatient consultations
- inpatient admissions
- joint aspiration
- rheumatological ultrasonography.
Appointment location
Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH)
Outpatient Department, Level 5E.1
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Port Road SA 5000
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH)
Outpatient Department, Area 2, Area 4
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
28 Woodville Road, Woodville SA 5011
Consultants
RAH
- Prof Susanna Proudman – Head of Unit
- Prof Catherine Hill
- Dr Peter Penglis
- A/Prof Vidya Limaye
- Dr Rachel Black
- Dr Anita Lee
- Dr David Bursill
- A/Prof Jenny Walker
- A/Prof Mihir Wechalekar
- Ms Leah McWilliams (Rheumatology Nurse Consultant)
TQEH
- Prof Catherine Hill – Head of Unit
- A/Prof M Rischmueller
- Dr Sam Whittle
- Dr Simon Burnet
- Dr Rachel Black
- Dr Joanna Tieu
- Ms Heather van der Haak (Rheumatology Outpatient Nurse)
- Ms Christina Jukic (Rheumatology Infusion Nurse)
Clinics
A variety of ‘themed’ clinics according to the type of rheumatological condition operate Monday to Friday.
Rapid access clinics are held daily for emergency referrals
The Unit collaborates closely with other specialist units in CALHN to provide a comprehensive service for the multi-systemic complications of these diseases. Detailed protocols for applying evidence-based, best practice care are in place for many conditions and are implemented with assistance from dedicated nursing, allied health and research professionals.
GP information
Refer your patient
Fax referral to us
We accept GP and specialist referrals to this service.
All referrals are triaged by the service according to clinical urgency. Patients requiring immediate assessment should be sent directly to the Emergency Department.
- CALHN Rheumatology service information triage referral guidelines (PDF 245KB)
- CALHN Rheumatology clinical features indicative of potentially serious pathology (PDF 108KB)
To ensure appropriate and timely triage, include all demographic and clinical details as well as relevant investigation results.
If you are concerned about any delay of the appointment or if there is any deterioration in your patient’s condition, contact the Rheumatology Registrar on (08) 7074 0000 (RAH) or (08) 8222 6000 (TQEH).
To make a referral
RAH
Fax: (08) 7074 6247
Phone: 1300 153 853
TQEH
Fax: (08) 8222 7188
Phone: (08) 8222 7010
Phone: (08) 8222 7030
Alternate care options
Not all patients with non-urgent conditions can be offered timely appointments in the CALHN Rheumatology clinics due to limited resources. In most cases the key to appropriate management is a detailed history and examination. Options for obtaining further information regarding various rheumatology conditions and to provide guidance for assessment, investigations and management are listed below under 'Clinical information sheets'.
Health Pathways
Health Pathways South Australia is an online portal designed to be used by general practice at the point of care to guide best practice assessment, management and referral of common clinical conditions.
Post-discharge guidelines and information
Patients whose condition has stabilised or resolved and for whom no further appointment has been made will be formally discharged. If there is deterioration in the clinical state requiring specialist input, a new referral, preferably a named referral (see consultant list) should be faxed to the Rheumatology Department.
Patient information
How to access this clinic
Referral from your general practitioner (GP)
You need a referral letter from your GP or medical practitioner to access this service.
Your doctor will need to fax your referral letter to us. We will be in contact with you within clinically recommended times, depending on waiting list length. If there is no waiting list, you will receive an appointment booking letter or we will contact you to arrange a suitable time.
Please refer to the information sheets below for information regarding the outpatient service.
- FAQs for CALHN specialist outpatient clinics (PDF 255KB)
- patient information and responsibilities for CALHN outpatient clinic appointments (PDF 244KB)
Useful links for further information
Related resources
- Arthritis Australia
- Myositis Association Australia
- Scleroderma Australia
- Pulmonary Hypertension Association Australia
- Empowered - Arthritis Australia
- My Joint Pain – Arthritis Australia
Medication information
- Arthritis SA phone (08) 8379 5711
- Australian Rheumatology Association
Pulmonary arterial hypertension/scleroderma-access support
- Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PAH) Australia
- The Lung Foundation Australia, free call 1800 654 301
- Scleroderma Australia, phone (02) 9990 5159