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The Rheumatology Advice Line

We provide a dedicated advice line for existing patients of the department who need help regarding their treatment or disease management.

The Rheumatology Advice Line: 01905 760461

Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU)

What is PIFU? 

PIFU stands for patient initiated follow-up. The goal is to empower our patients and allow them to take greater control over their health and care.

How does PIFU work and when can it help me? 

PIFU allows patients greater control over their appointments. Instead of being offered regular routine clinic visits and check-ups with your rheumatologist, you can request your own appointment when you need it e.g. when experiencing a flare – putting you in control of your care.

Patient initiated follow-up can help reduce unnecessary visits to hospital, reduce patient waiting times and release clinical teams to see more patients in a timely manner.

Your clinician will inform you if PIFU is right for you. If selected for PIFU your clinician will provide you with an outline of the symptoms and signs to look for and when PIFU can help you.

How do I get in touch with the Rheumatology team? 

If you feel that you require a PIFU appointment, please call the Rheumatology Advice Line on 01905 760461.  Please leave your name, DOB, NHS or hospital number, and a contact number. The nursing team will triage your symptoms and confirm whether a PIFU appointment is the right choice for you.

When not to use PIFU

PIFU does not replace help for other conditions or emergencies; you may have PIFUs for other specialties.

For urgent medical attention, call your GP or 111. If you are very unwell, you should attend A&E.

Methotrexate interruption

In response to VROOM, adult rheumatology patients, who are stable on methotrexate, may consider stopping methotrexate after booster vaccination for COVID-19 for 2 weeks (skipping 2 doses of methotrexate). There is no need to stop prior to vaccination. There is a small risk of flare. This has been shown to improve vaccine response to COVID-19.

Patient Information Leaflets

Below are some helpful Patient Information Leaflets for you to browse:

Homecare Delivery Details

As part of your treatment in the Rheumatology department, you may be receiving deliveries of your medication from a homecare company.

The details of the homecare companies we routinely use are detailed below. If you have any questions regarding your medication delivery arrangements, please get in touch with them using the options below. Some companies have the option of online contact forms for queries or live chat on their websites.

If they are not able to deal with your query or if you are running out of your medication you may also contact us on the advice line: 01905 760461.

Sciensus

(Previously Healthcare at Home).

www.Sciensus.com/patients

On-line contact form or web chat

Telephone: 0333 103 9499 Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm, Saturday 8am – 1pm.

Alcura

www.alcura-health.co.uk

E-mail: patientservices@alcura-health.co.uk

Telephone: 0800 012 1551 Monday – Friday 8am – 6.30pm, Saturday 9am- 1pm

Llyods Pharmacy Clinical Homecare

www.lpclinicalhomecare.co.uk

E-mail: enquiries@LPclinicalhomecare.co.uk

Telephone: 0345 2636 123 Monday – Friday 8am – 5.30pm

Healthnet

www.healthnethomecare.co.uk

E-mail: enquiries@healthnethomecare.co.uk

Telephone: 08000 833060

On-line contact form or web chat

Pharmaxo

www.pharmaxohealthcare.com

E-mail: homecare@pharmaxo.com

Telephone: 01225 302188

Celltrion CONNECT

www.celltrionconnect.co.uk

E-mail: customercare@homecare-pharmacy.co.uk

Telephone: 01827 438775 Monday-Friday 9am- 5pm Saturday 9am-1pm.

Pharmacies to return sharps bins

Below is a list of pharmacies in Worcestershire, where patients can take back the sharps bins of ANY size including cytotoxic bins: