Private Rheumatology Service Darlington

Rheumatology is a specialty concerned with managing diseases of the joints, muscles, and soft tissues (collectively known as the musculoskeletal system). Rheumatic conditions are typically chronic (long-term), meaning you may have been in pain for some time.

Symptoms of a rheumatic issue may include:

• Joint pain (either in one joint or many joints)
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Stiffness
• General aches

We also see patients who may have certain conditions that result in joint pain, such as:

• Osteoporosis (a bone condition)
• Fibromyalgia (pain all over the body and extreme sensitivity)
• Gout (severe, sudden pain)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue diseases such as lupus and scleroderma
• Polymyalgia rheumatica (stiffness and inflammation in muscles, especially when waking up)
• Soft tissue problems such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome

If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, or are concerned that you may have a rheumatic condition, our rheumatology specialists are available to help accurately diagnose you promptly, bringing you one step closer to relief from your symptoms.

Many diseases of the joints and muscles can be effectively managed without the need for surgical intervention. Your consultant will be looking to address your symptoms rapidly and effectively. Rheumatic conditions often involve inflammation, so various medications can be prescribed to reduce any swelling. Tablets are available from our on-site pharmacy, saving you further trips.

• Anti-inflammatory steroid injections are a common treatment for rheumatic conditions. They help to reduce swelling and address your pain at the same time. The steroid is injected directly into the source of your pain, either by your rheumatologist in our clinic, or under ultrasound guidance by a specialist radiologist. These injections can be repeated periodically if they prove effective in managing your symptoms.

If at the point of diagnosis it is determined that a joint needs an operation, you will be given the option of a referral to one of our expert orthopaedic surgeons, who work closely with our rheumatology team. Your consultant will liaise with your rheumatologist in the run up to surgery, and can help prepare you with a pre-operative assessment.

Surgery is rarely needed, but may be beneficial to those with severe rheumatoid arthritis, where a joint replacement can be considered. This would be to remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial implant. This is usually only considered when all other non-invasive measures have been tried and have been ineffective in easing your symptoms.

When you first come to Woodlands for your initial consultation, your consultant will ask for a detailed medical history. They will also want to understand more about your symptoms. They will likely ask you:

• What are your symptoms?
• When did they start?
• What is the nature of your pain? Is it constant or intermittent?
• What treatments have you tried so far?
• Does anything in particular make it worse or better?
• How is your health in general? Do you have any other injuries?
• Are you on any medication currently?

This will be followed by a physical examination to assess the symptoms you’ve mentioned. Your consultant will manipulate the affected joint or limb, looking at your range of movement and taking note of the precise points you experience pain or stiffness. This is often enough for your consultant to make a primary diagnosis.

Blood tests will often be arranged, and your consultant will most likely wish to see an x-ray of the affected joints or limbs. Some patients will already have had an x-ray prior to coming to Woodlands, but if not, a scan can be arranged on-site. Occasionally, an ultrasound may be useful. Especially if your consultant wishes to look at the soft tissues and structures around a particular joint. Woodlands has excellent facilities for getting quick access to scans, making sure your diagnosis arrives without an unnecessary wait.

Sometimes, if the issue is diagnosed within the initial consultation, treatment can begin right away in the form of tablets or steroid injections. Injections are normally administered directly into the joint, and this can be done then and there in the clinic. In fact, once diagnosed, many conditions are managed well in primary care by your GP, saving you further trips to the hospital.

If an ultrasound-guided injection is needed (to ensure the precision of the injection, especially when important blood vessels and nerves surround the site of your pain), this can be booked in for a later date. This is carried out alongside a specialist radiologist, allowing us to see the needle going into the exact spot required for maximum accuracy. Should you require surgery, your consultant can discuss all available options with you, liaising with orthopaedic surgeons on your behalf.

Choosing to have your rheumatology treatment done at Woodlands comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – Certain ear, nose and throat conditions are best treated at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any of the associated symptoms, our consultants can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further.
• Patient satisfaction – 98.1% of patients in 2024 said they would be likely or extremely likely to recommend their consultant to their friends or family. 96% also said that their overall experience of the nursing care was very good or excellent. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
• Day case procedures – Some minor procedures can be done on the same day as your initial consultation, making Woodlands a ‘one-stop shop’ for certain treatments and procedures.
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• A multi-disciplinary approach – Our teams at Woodlands work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely alongside a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available between 10am and 8.30pm Monday-Saturday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Park with ease – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so our car park has ample space to accommodate your needs. This also includes 4 electric vehicle charging points. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train. We are also a short walk from multiple bus stops, including Morton Park Way (Morrisons) and Yarm Road.

If any symptoms relating to joint pain are concerning you, book a consultation with one of our rheumatology specialists today. Our consultants can outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any necessary diagnostic scans, treatment and surgery if required. For peace of mind and expert care, contact us on 01325 968 195 or book an appointment online now.

Accessing private healthcare with us is easy, whether you choose to pay directly or use private medical insurance.

If you are paying for yourself, we can usually offer an upfront cost which you can then choose to pay in full or access one of our easy payment options.

If you have insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. There are usually only three steps to accessing private treatment using insurance:

• Speak to your GP: Let your GP know that you have private medical insurance during your appointment with them. Ask them to refer you to Woodlands Hospital, and in you have already chosen which consultant you would like to see, let your GP know their name so they can give you a specific referral letter. The letter should include the hospital and consultant name, as well as the recommended treatment. Your GP can also give you a referral letter with no specified consultant.
• Speak to us: Once you have your referral letter from your GP, give our friendly Patient Liaison Officers a call on 01325 341786. If your GP gets in touch with us directly with your referral, we will be in touch with you.
• Speak to your insurer: After speaking to your GP, ensure that you call your insurer and activate your insurance. Have your insurance details to hand when you call, as they will need it to confirm that the treatment you need is covered by our policy. If the treatment is not covered but you would still like to go private, you can explore alternative methods.

For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.

Woodlands Hospital first opened in Darlington in 2001, and we have been treating patients from Darlington and the wider area ever since.

We are located on Morton Park Way, opposite Dunelm and Premier Inn and over the road from Morrisons. Darlington Train Station is approximately 3.5 miles away and there is a taxi rank at the station with cabs available throughout the day. We are also a short walk from numerous bus routes, with stops at Morrisons and on Yarm Road. We are a short distance from local attractions such as Hopetown, the brick train sculpture and the Hippodrome.

We have free parking available on-site, with 4 electric vehicle charging points. The hospital has an accessible entrance, however please do let a member of the team know if you require a wheelchair and one of our friendly porters can assist you into the building.

Each of our rooms feature an en-suite for added comfort and privacy. The rooms are spacious with a remote controlled TV and free Wi-Fi available during your stay. Our catering team are on-hand to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular mealtimes. We offer a range of choices available, please do let us know of any special dietary requirements you have prior to your admission.

As well as offering surgery, we have a number of fantastic facilities on-site at Woodlands.

Our physiotherapy department consists of many experienced senior physiotherapists with a range of clinical interests including hand, women's health and men's health. We also have a fully equipped gymnasium, including an anti-gravity treadmill, exercise bike and numerous weights. The team will work closely with you to reach your goals, and you can self refer to book an appointment. If you're interested, please give the team a call on 01325 341712 and choose option 2.

We also have imaging facilities on-site, including a wide-bore MRI scanner, x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and access to a CT scanner. Please note: appointments for any imaging service at Woodlands Hospital can only be made once the department receives a referral from a GMC-registered consultant. For more information, please give our friendly enquiry team a call on 01325 968 195.