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Paediatric Rheumatology

We provide a dedicated Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Service which covers the South West of England. The multi-disciplinary team is led by four consultant paediatric rheumatologists: Professor A V Ramanan, Dr J Clinch, Dr A Kelly and Dr V Rogers who work alongside three paediatric nurse specialists, a physiotherapy team including a senior specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a psychologist and two specialist registrars.  We are a recognised training centre for paediatric rheumatology.

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 the team have the experience and expertise to treat in even the most complex cases. Working with the child/young person and their family the team helps them to manage the condition by providing holistic care, disease management and education both on an inpatient and outpatient basis.

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 team by calling 0117 342 0146 / 0117 342 0149

Further information for the public

The service covers the whole of the South West region, and clinics are held alongside local consultants in Taunton, Bath, Gloucester, Torbay, Yeovil, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro.

The team also hold specialist clinics with consultants from other paediatric specialties offering combined expertise. These include vasculitis clinics (with renal team), uveitis clinics (with ophthalmology team), and joint clinics with endocrine, orthopaedics, infectious diseases and dermatology.

We have good relationships with our regional adult rheumatology colleagues and have a team specialising in Developmentally Appropriate Healthcare to help prepare and facilitate young people transitioning from paediatric to adult services. We hold joint clinics with the adult teams throughout the region and support young adult clinics where they are available.