Rheumatology in Harrow

Our consultant rheumatologists are experts in treating pain and disorders of the joints, muscles, bones, tendons and other connective tissues.

Patients come to us with a wide range of symptoms, but some of the most common are:

• Pain (back, neck and joint pain in particular)
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Foot problems

These can stem from many different conditions, but we often treat:

• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Psoriasis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer's elbow
• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Soft tissue rheumatism

Many conditions overlap, and our rheumatologists are experts across a whole spectrum of disorders. This holistic approach is crucial to accurately diagnosing and treating your problems.

Our consultants see patients of all ages and will do everything they can to cure their conditions.

In some cases, this might not be possible. If this is the case, you can be assured they will work quickly and effectively to relieve pain, improve your range of movement and activity, and boost your quality of life.

Our specialists are supported by a wide range of related specialities – for example, physiotherapists – who are all available on-site, so you don’t need to go to lots of different locations.

Our goal is to make private healthcare accessible and affordable for all, and we have very competitively priced self-pay packages, along with payment plan options if you are coming to us direct (rather than via GP or insurance referral).

Our consultants are leaders in their field and have access to cutting-edge diagnostic equipment.

We also have a pool at the hospital, which our physios use to strengthen muscles and ease chronic back and joint pain.

The combination of our skills and facilities ensures you receive the treatment that is most appropriate in your circumstances.

That treatment could include a range of options:

• Lifestyle improvements: ranging from exercise, to diet and tips around posture (etc.)
• Non-medical: physiotherapists and chiropractors (including pool treatment, as mentioned above)
• Medical: analgesics/painkillers, anti-inflammatories, disease modifying drugs, and injections
• Surgery: which is always a last resort, but must also need to be

We use a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure you are treated as quickly, comprehensively, and effectively as possible.

Dependent on the nature of your condition, your consultant may work in partnership with other top specialists, who are all based at The Clem for your convenience and reassurance.

These specialists can include orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists, physios, chiropractors, dieticians, and more.

You are assured a solution that is tailor-made for your circumstances, and we stay by your side throughout your patient journey. You will also see the same consultant throughout, ensuring continuity of care.

From the first moment you come to us to the moment you are discharged, we aim to make the process as speedy, convenient and reassuring as possible for you.

Referral

Your journey will start with a referral.

We accept referrals from GPs or health insurance providers, as well as from private patients who book a consultation directly.

We aim to arrange a private consultation for you within as little as 48 hours from referral or first contact, at a time that is convenient for you.

Consultation

During your initial consultation, which will last around half-an-hour, your consultant will talk with you about your specific circumstances and needs.

After a taking a thorough medical history and doing examinations, your consultant may request further investigations, such as blood tests and scans (X-ray, MRI, CT or ultrasound, dependent on the nature of the problem).

If these investigations are needed and a diagnosis cannot be made straight away, we will organise a follow-up appointment in around a week, at a time that is convenient for you.

Following their diagnosis, your specialist will go through your results in plain English, so you are able to make an informed decision on treatment.

Treatment and after-care

As detailed above, there is a range of treatment paths that your consultant might suggest.

Medical treatments can be obtained at our on-site pharmacy, while injections can be done in clinic by your consultant.

If more conservative routes have been exhausted, and you need surgery, this can normally be arranged in around two weeks.

Dependent on the treatment plan you have agreed, your consultant may see you for a follow-up a few weeks later to check on your progress (this will happen automatically in the case of surgery).

Quality:

• We treat all patients with the highest levels of dignity, kindness, compassion and respect
• Your consultant will be a specialist and leader in their field, ensuring you get the most accurate diagnosis and most appropriate treatment plan, using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
• Our consultants also have particular ‘special interests’, which means you can pick one that has particular expertise in the condition/ symptoms that you experience.
• Most of our specialists are working NHS consultants, who have gone through the same (and often more) rigorous assessments and training as you will find in the NHS, including teaching at top teaching hospitals
• Our specialists are regularly assessed to ensure they are up-to-date with all the latest developments in their fields. These assessments also ensure that consultants are continuing to perform successful procedures and have provided excellent patient care
• We host a number of ‘special units’. These are groups of consultants who work together collaboratively in our hospital, meeting regularly to discuss complex cases and agree the most appropriate treatment pathway for you.
• Across the board our staff - from reception staff, to nurses and theatre staff - are highly trained in their specific roles, truly care about patients, and pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming
• We hold an independent Care Quality Commission (CQC) ‘Good’ rating, meaning we are safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led
• We remain a green Covid site, which means 0% Covid cross-contamination (March 2020-March 2021) thanks to our IPC (infection prevention control) measures that are constantly being revised and adapted.
• Our hospital is state-of-the-art. On site are:
  • 121 beds with all rooms offering the privacy and comfort of en-suite facilities, including TV and Wi-Fi
  • A five bedded Level 3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which means that our surgeons can perform complex surgical procedures
  • Five state-of-the-art operating theatres
  • Neuro navigation equipment
  • State-of-the-art Orthopaedic robotic equipment
  • Three operating theatres (two with laminar flow for specialist orthopaedics)
  • A JAG-accredited Endoscopy suite
  • A physiotherapy department with a fully equipped rehabilitation gym and hydrotherapy pool
  • A full range of imaging & diagnostics, including AI assisted CT, MRI, digital mammography, ultrasound & x-ray
  • Private GP services

Speed and convenience:

• You can choose the consultant who is the best fit for you, whether that’s for reasons of culture, gender, religion, language, or just personality.
• You will be seen at a time that suits you, even if that’s early morning, in the evening, or at the weekend. You can book a consultation with just 5-clicks via our website.
• Our multi-disciplinary approach means you can see your consultant, have diagnostics, surgery/treatment and rehabilitation in one hospital; a clean and familiar environment with friendly faces
• We are located in Harrow, Northwest London, with easy access to the City of London. Our location, with multiple transport options, means we are very easy to get to, and we have plenty of on-site parking.