Rheumatology
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for patients
We recognise that many of our patients will be concerned about COVID-19. Please take care to follow Government advice and wash your hands regularly and avoid those who may have been exposed to the virus and crowded environments in general.
At present, the general advice to patients is to continue with their current treatment, as risks associated with a flare in arthritis on reducing or stopping treatment may be greater than any risks associated with continuing treatment.
You should stop your immunosuppressive medication if you develop symptoms of Coronavirus (fever or cough or shortness of breath). In that event, please stay off your medication for two weeks and follow Government advice about self-isolating and/or calling NHS 111. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild illness. Please contact us if your arthritis flares during this time.
Helpful guidance is available from the websites below
- NHS
- Versus Arthritis
- National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society—Ankylosing spondylitis
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society—Rheumatoid arthritis
Our understanding of COVID19 is increasing all the time and so advice may change. Please keep updated by checking the websites regularly.
What we do
At both Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital we diagnose and manage conditions which cause painful joints and muscles. We see people of all ages including both adults and children. We have close links with Orthopaedics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Plastic Surgery and other departments, to help make things as streamlined as possible for patients.
Conditions we treat include:
- Early inflammatory, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Crystal arthritis including gout
- Connective tissue diseases such as lupus
- Vasculitis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Cervical and lumbar spondylosis
- Soft tissue rheumatic disorders
We offer a variety of services including general and specialist clinics (for inflammatory arthritis, drug monitoring, ankylosing spondylitis, connective tissue disorders, osteoporosis and children’s rheumatology). At West Middlesex we provide a joint injection clinic for conditions such as tennis elbow, frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome. There is a fracture liaison service at both sites.
Our team
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
The team is made up of consultants Prof Margaret Callan, Dr Mediola Ismajli, Dr Othman Kirresh and Dr Pooja Gulati, specialist doctor Dr Matthew Ho and associate specialist Dr Amjad Jilani. The specialist nurses are Ashlynne Van Vuuren, Adedamola Ige, Li Yang, and Vicky Cruz.
West Middlesex University Hospital
The team is made up of consultants Dr Diana Davis, Dr Gagandeep Takhar, Dr Othman Kirresh, Dr Iona Thorne and Dr Pooja Gulati and consultant nurse Diane Home. The specialist nurses are Nancy Gachie, Rosie Reid and Talisha Francis-Williams.
Contact information
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Please see main reception staff who will direct you.
T: 020 3315 4004
E: caw-tr4.cwmedicine@nhs.net
West Middlesex University Hospital
We are located in Outpatients 3 on the Ground Floor, opposite the Pharmacy in the main hospital building.
T: 020 8321 5370 (enquiries)
T: 020 8321 5610 (appointments)
E: caw-tr.westmidadmin3@nhs.net