Description of service
We provide a dedicated Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology
Service which covers the South West of England and part of Wales.
The multi-disciplinary team is led by two consultant
paediatric rheumatologists Professor A V Ramanan and Dr J
Clinch and consists of a paediatric nurse specialist, a senior
physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a psychologist
and two specialist registrars all of whom are specialists in
this field.
The service provides expertise for children and adolescents who
suffer from a wide variety of rheumatological conditions and
musculoskeletal problems, which include:
- juvenile arthritis
- uveitis
- juvenile onset lupus
- juvenile dermatomyositis
- periodic fevers
- rare forms of paediatric vasculitis
- mechanical joint pain
- hypermobility syndrome
Our aim
To maintain the function and independence of any child or
adolescent with rheumatological conditions and musculoskeletal
problems by controlling disease activity, helping them to maintain
function, reaching full physical development, minimize any
disability, and supporting them to achieve their full potential
socially, educationally and psychologically.
There are important age related impacts of these conditions on
children and adolescents which together the team have the
experience and expertise to treat even the most complex cases.
Working with the child/adolescent and their family the team helps
them to manage the condition by providing holistic care, disease
management and education both on an inpatient and out patient
bases.
Areas of excellence
As above especially systemic onset JIA, JIA associated uveitis,
Juvenile dermatomyositis.
General contact details
If you would like any further information on referrals or
general information about our services please contact the
Paediatric Rheumatology Team on 0117 3420146/3420149
Further information for the public
The consultants hold clinics in Taunton, Bath, Salisbury,
Torbay, Yeovil, Exeter, Plymouth and Swansea.
There are also several clinics where consultants from other
specialities join our team to provide specialist in put eg a
vasculitis clinic with the paediatric renal consultant, a uveitis
clinic held with the professor of ophthalmology and an endocrine
clinic.
The service is currently developing a transitional service that
is preparing the older adolescent for the adult service.
