Who are Podiatrists?
Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat conditions affecting your feet and legs.
How can a Podiatrist help me?
A podiatrist will help you to care for your feet by completing assessments that check your circulation, nerve function and overall health of the structures in your feet.
The assessment may also include a review of your footwear and the way you walk.
The treatment given by podiatrists ranges from assistance with wound care, the prescription of orthoses (insoles) and the provision of some medication or steroid injections.
What will my appointment involve?
At your appointment a full examination of your feet (and legs where appropriate) will take place, according to your symptoms.
The assessment information is used to give a diagnosis and treatment plan whenever possible. The plan is often discussed with other members of the rheumatology team, so that it takes into account the many aspects of your health.
Who are the podiatrists in the department?
Lindsey Cherry, BSc, PhD: Lindsey is an NIHR clinical lecturer in podiatric rheumatology with Solent NHS Trust and a research & lecturer at the University of Southampton.
More information about Dr Cherry and her research can be found here http://
Rachel Ferguson, BSc: Rachel is a Specialist Podiatrist with Solent NHS Trust and is currently completing a Masters in Research at the University of Southampton.
Useful links and support:
Osteoporosis and bone health services
The rheumatology bone health and osteoporosis services focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. There are no outward symptoms until a fracture occurs.
The department works closely with the DXA Unit (bone density testing).
Dr Young Min - Consultant rheumatologist
Dr M Edwards – Consultants rheumatologist
Sr Amanda Finnegan - Clinical nurse specialist
Fracture liaison service
Our fracture liaison referral service identifies patients aged 50 and older at risk of osteoporosis from their first fracture.
Our team of fracture liaison nurses offer a specialist advice:
- bone health treatments
- fall prevention
- risk tests and investigations
- medication and treatment plans
- lifestyle advice
If appropriate patients can be referred to physiotherapy.
The service is led by consultant rheumatologist Dr Steven Young Min and Dr Mark Edwards.
Useful links and support:
Information and support from specialist nurses - for questions about osteoporosis and bone health. Email nurses
Meetings are held at Cosham Baptist Church, Havant Road. Admission £2 to include refreshments. Email nos.
Our rheumatology department work with our colleagues from Solent NHS who provide hydrotherapy physiotherapy services.
The physiotherapy team will assess patients before any treatment interventions, of which hydrotherapy may be one treatment.
Referral for hydrotherapy can be made by the rheumatology consultants, their medical team and the clinical nurse specialists.
Services may include:
- exercise prescription – on land or in the hydrotherapy pool
- “hands on treatment” – mobilisations and electrotherapy
- pacing advice – how to manage your day to day life and activities to the maximum
- pain control advice – the use of heat / ice, TENS machines etc
- prescription of aids and devices – walking aids, splints etc.
- advice on local exercise and activity facilities / groups suitable for your condition.
- advice on local and national charities for your condition.
Our clinical nurse specialists support patients throughout their treatment on biologic therapies.
If you require additional information, support and advice about biological therapies please call our Patient Advice and Information Line on 023 9228 6935
Primary care clinicians and team members involved in the care of biologic patients may also contact us via the Patient Advice and Information Line.
(Please note this is a messaging service; we aim to answer all calls within 24 hours.)
Please note when attending the Biologic Therapy Service Clinics please bring:
- Fresh sample of urine - usually collected 1-2 hours before appointment
- Current list of your prescribed medications and any of over the counter medication or herbal/ complimentary therapies that you take on a regular basis
For a Biologic Screening 1st assessment you may be required to have:
(please note these appointments can take up to 1 ½ hours)
- Chest X-ray
- Answer questions about other medical condition you have and surgical (operation) you have had in the past history of known allergies e.g. drugs, foods, latex and animals.
- Vaccination/ Immunisation history.
- Blood tests.
- You may also be invite to participate in long term follow up research into Biologic Therapies- this is optional and will be discussed with you during the appointment.
Ongoing and follow up assessments:
Please note the appointments can take up to 30 minutes and will include updating your records in line with local guidance.
| Biologic Coordinators | 023 9228 6437 |
| Patient Advice and Information Line | 023 9228 6935 |
| Rheumatology Day Case Suite Coordinators | 023 9228 4471 or 1644 |
In our Day Case Suite Unit we administer infusion treatments to patients with all types of Arthritis and Connective Tissue Diseases. We also treat patients with ophthalmology eye diseases, gastroenterology and dermatology diseases.
The suite has six reclining chair care spaces and one patient trolley care space.
On arrival a nurse will explain everything to you and guide you through what is going to happen to you for your treatment day.
What to bring?
- List of your current medication
- Something to read / your iPad / small laptop We do have a few some magazines and DVD Players and discs if needed
- Fresh sample of urine - collected one to two hours before the time of your infusion
- Light snacks- tea/coffee and biscuits are served in the day case suite and snack box lunches for patients receiving all day infusions or who are diabetic attending lunch time infusions.
- Next of kin contact telephone numbers
Please have your blood tests three to five days before your day case admission is booked for.
Contact
- Day Case Bookings Team - 02392 286176
- Day Case Nursing Team - 02392 286001