New rheumatology centre officially opened

L-R (Back) Cllr Martin Rogers (Rochdale Council), Cllr David Barnes (Whitworth Town Council), Dr Neil Snowden (Pennine Acute Trust), Professor Alan Silman, Dr Chris Duffy (Chair HMR CCG) L-R (Front) Josie Fletcher PIU manager, Cllr Janet Darnborough and Cllr Linda Robinson (Chair of Rochdale Council Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee) L-R (Front) Josie Fletcher PIU manager, Cllr Janet Darnborough and Cllr Linda Robinson (Chair of Rochdale Council Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

The new Pennine Rheumatology Centre at Rochdale Infirmary has been officially opened by Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK.

At a special event, Professor Silman was joined by hospital staff, local councillors, patient groups and the Chair of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Dr Chris Duffy to unveil a commemorative plaque.

Rheumatology is the branch of medicine which deals with the investigation, diagnosis and treatment and management of diseases of the joints and muscles.

The new pioneering Pennine Rheumatology Centre at the infirmary provides specialist enhanced outpatient and day case services for people with a range of rheumatologic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus and other connective tissue diseases, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects nearly half a million people in the UK. It is a chronic, disabling condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints. It is a major cause of disability and can also reduce life expectancy by five to ten years. Although newer biologic treatments pioneered by Arthritis Research UK have made a huge difference to patients’ lives, a sizeable proportion does not respond.

The centre enables people who are struggling with their arthritis to receive care from a multidisciplinary team including consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists.

Dr Neil Snowden, Lead Consultant Rheumatologist at The Pennine Acute Trust, said:
“This is a very positive change and development for rheumatology services in Greater Manchester – a hub and focus of rheumatology diseases.

“The Pennine Rheumatology Centre allows us to focus intensively on people with the worst arthritis giving rapid access to our specialist multidisciplinary team, delivering complex diagnostic tests and treatments as quickly and safely as possible at one centre and in the shortest possible time. This prevents patients having multiple visits. We can offer complex infusion treatments and techniques such as ultrasound, biologic infusions and joint injections.

“The centre is underpinned by what we hope is an improved community focused outpatient service across our other hospitals. We want to build and improve better links with local GPs and primary care. We also want to move as much treatment as possible into the community, and where possible in people’s homes.

“It’s been working very well since we started seeing patients at the new centre in April and we and we have received some positive feedback. We want to continue to demonstrate that what we do is of high standard and use the centre to develop research on improved treatments.”

Prior to joining Arthritis Research UK, Prof Silman was the Director of the arc’s Epidemiology Unit (1988-2006). He spent some of his early medical training at Noth Manchester Hospital and he was, until the end of 2011, a consultant rheumatologist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. He is also the UK editor of the main leading international textbook in rheumatology.

Commenting at the event, Professor Alan Silman said: “I’m particularly delighted and honoured to be involved in the official opening of this new rheumatology centre at the Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust.

"In terms of chronic diseases, yes there have been developments in medicine and treatments but there is still incredible variation in patient outcomes and the need and requirement of their treatment.

"We don’t have all the answers, but the patient experience is all about how patients are treated and managed at the point of care. I’m pleased and gratified to hear the emphasis that has been placed on patients in the planning and delivery of services.

“This new centre is very exciting for staff, for patients and their families, and for the people of Rochdale and surrounding areas. This reflects outstanding leadership and vision; I wish it every success in the future.”

Rheumatology Services are provided on each of the Pennine Acute Trust’s four hospital sites, at North Manchester and Fairfield General Hospitals, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary. Most services will still be provided locally in the outpatient departments at each hospital.