Dr Perpetual C. Uke is a Consultant Rheumatologist and General Physician at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust with more than two decades of clinical experience in medicine and an extensive background in rheumatology, general internal medicine, medical education, clinical leadership, research, and quality improvement. She is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centred care, combining clinical excellence with compassion, effective communication and evidence-based practice.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, Dr Uke relocated to the United Kingdom and completed her postgraduate medical training within the NHS. She obtained Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in 2014 and subsequently completed Higher Specialist Training in Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine across leading centres including Sheffield, Salford Royal Hospital, East Lancashire Hospitals, Furness General Hospital and Wrightington Hospital. During her final year of specialist training, she practised independently at consultant level while supervising junior doctors. She was appointed Consultant Rheumatologist in 2019 and has continued to develop a broad and respected clinical practice. Dr Uke holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Musculoskeletal Medicine and Clinical Rheumatology from the University of Manchester, graduating with Merit and receiving recognition as a top-performing student. Her specialist interests include early inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, osteoporosis and musculoskeletal medicine. She has particular expertise in the management of inflammatory arthritis and is competent in joint aspirations and injections, nailfold capillaroscopy and the use of validated rheumatological disease activity assessment tools. She also has a strong interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound and its application in improving diagnostic accuracy and healthcare efficiency.

Throughout her consultant career, Dr Uke has demonstrated a commitment to service development and clinical innovation. She has led and contributed to numerous quality improvement initiatives, pathway developments and clinical governance projects. Notable achievements include leading improvements in the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit, developing referral and triage pathways for inflammatory arthritis services, establishing a successful Giant Cell Arteritis pathway, and authoring the Trust guideline for the perioperative use of DMARDs and biologic therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and systemic rheumatic diseases. Her work on the implementation of Etanercept biosimilar switching in patients with inflammatory arthritis resulted in excellent clinical outcomes while generating savings of more than £300,000 for the NHS, demonstrating her interest in value-based healthcare and health economics.

Alongside her clinical work, Dr Uke is passionate about education and training. She has completed formal training in Teaching and Learning in the Medical Workplace and is an accredited Educational and Clinical Supervisor. She actively supports the development of undergraduate medical students, physician associates, foundation doctors, internal medicine trainees and specialist rheumatology trainees through bedside teaching, clinical skills training, formal lectures, workplace-based assessments and mentorship. She is an experienced and trained OSCE examiner and regularly participates in undergraduate and postgraduate assessments. Dr Uke is particularly committed to creating positive learning environments that promote clinical excellence, professionalism and patient safety. Dr Uke has also established herself as a clinical leader within the NHS. She currently serves as Lead Medical Examiner and has previously held leadership roles including Departmental Audit Lead, National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit Lead, Clinical Nurse Specialist Education Lead and leadership responsibilities within the COVID Medicine Delivery Unit. Through these positions, she has contributed to service transformation, workforce development and the delivery of high-quality care across multidisciplinary teams.

Her academic interests include clinical health economics and service evaluation and supporting in clinical trials. She holds current Good Clinical Practice certification and actively supports research activity within her department. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, including work in the British Journal of Ophthalmology and Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, and has presented her research and quality improvement work at regional and national meetings.

Dr Uke is highly regarded by colleagues and patients alike for her professionalism, empathy, approachable nature and commitment to excellence. Her practice is founded on the principle that outstanding healthcare should be safe, effective and compassionate, with the ultimate aim of improving the lives and experiences of every patient she treats.

Clinical Interests

• Early Inflammatory Arthritis
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Systemic Autoimmune diseases
• Service optimisation

• General Medical Council
• Royal College of Physician
• Royal College of Pathologists