We provide diagnosis, treatment and support for people with rheumatic conditions such as arthritis, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, and non-inflammatory musculoskeletal and pain conditions.
Key points
- We diagnose and treat patients with conditions such as arthritis, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
- We assist with the initial diagnosis and management of several non-inflammatory musculoskeletal and pain conditions
- We provide a specialised service for all rheumatology conditions
What we do
Our Rheumatology service provides care for people who need care for:
- Inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis
- Crystal arthritis including gout and pseudogout
- Septic arthritis
- Multisystem autoimmune and inflammatory conditions including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, myositis, vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
We also assist with the initial diagnosis and management of several non-inflammatory musculoskeletal and pain conditions. However, these conditions generally do not require ongoing rheumatology review and can then be managed in the community with the support of GPs and allied health. These conditions include:
- Back and neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Regional pain syndromes
Specialty clinics
We provide a specialised service for all rheumatology conditions. Each of our clinics is themed to focus on a particular aspect of rheumatology but also provide a general rheumatology service.
Our specialty clinics include:
- Rapid Access Rheumatology Clinic focuses on the assessment, initial management and stabilisation of conditions, including gout, which require short-term rheumatology care
- Rheumatology Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) Clinic focuses on the diagnosis and management of connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, myositis and vasculitis
- Rheumatology Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Clinic focuses on the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis
- Rheumatology Spondyloarthritides (SpA) focuses on the management of spondyloarthritides including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatology Biologics focuses on people who are receiving biologic and targeted synthetic medications for the treatment of their rheumatological condition
- Back Assessment Clinic focuses on treatment, assessment and ongoing assistance for people with spinal disorders
Our clinics
| Clinic name | Location | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatology Clinic | The RMH Parkville | |
| Rheumatology Biologics Clinic | The RMH Parkville | |
| Rheumatology Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) Clinic | The RMH Parkville | Medicare Telehealth |
| Rheumatology Rapid Access Clinic Level 1 South | The RMH Parkville | |
| Rheumatology Rapid Access Clinic | The RMH Parkville | |
| Rheumatology Spondyloarthritis (SpA) Clinic | The RMH Parkville |
Our clinics
Referrals
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use The RMH GP Referral Form or a template from your own system
- Complete and fax your referral to Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 4234
We do not accept email referrals.
What to include in your referral
As outlined by the Department of Health, referral requests should include:
- Patient demographic information
- Referrer demographic information
- Reason for referral
- Presenting problem
- Service(s) requested
- Required referral information specified by statewide or local referral criteria
- Current patient management
- Impact of the problem on the patient
- Name of the consultant and provider number (for Medicare clinics)
- Investigation reports related to the referral
Urgent and after-hours support
Referrals are triaged based on priority. In an emergency, patients can go to the Emergency & Trauma Service at any time.
For advice, urgent referrals and out of hours support, call The RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000 to page our registrar on call.
Statewide referral criteria for clinicians strengthens referrals to specialised services in public hospitals and improves access to non-admitted services. You can browse or search by specialty or medical condition.
HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.
Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).
Need to change or cancel your appointment?
Do one of the following:
- Access Health Hub to change the appointment yourself
- Complete our online form and we'll change it for you
- Call Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 7393 and we'll help you over the phone
What to bring
Every time you come
Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- Your appointment book
- TAC or WorkCover claim number
For an overnight or longer stay
If you come for an overnight (or longer stay), you should also bring:
- A dressing gown and slippers, or comfortable day clothes and shoes
- Your toiletries
- Your iPad or tablet and phone, provided you are happy to take responsibility for them
Do not bring (for overnight or longer stay)
And if you're staying overnight or longer, do not bring:
- Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash. Just bring a small amount for items such as newspapers, magazines or coffee
- Valuables, such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you
Interpreters & cultural support
We provide qualified, professional interpreters to help you communicate with us at any time during your stay and at your clinic appointments.
- Μάθετε περισότερα γιά διερμηνείς & υποστήριξη κουλτούρας
- Scopri di più sugli interpreti e sul supporto culturale
- Tercümanlar ve kültürel destek hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinmek için
- Tìm hiểu thêm về thông dịch viên và hỗ trợ văn hóa
- 找出更多翻译与文化支持的信息
- لمزيدٍ من المعلومات عن خدمة الترجمة الشفهية والخدمات الثقافية
Links & documents
Level 7 East
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria