How do I get an appointment?
Children can be referred to our services by their GP or the consultant at their local hospital. For information about getting or making a referral, see our rheumatology referrals page.
We will send you details of your appointment by post or, if the appointment is at short notice, we may contact you by phone.
Before your appointment
It is helpful if you bring the following to your child's appointment:
- any questions you or your child have
- a pair of shorts and a vest or t-shirt to make examination of joints easier
- a list of medicines your child is taking, including the dose
- blood monitoring card (if you have one)
- a pen to fill out questionnaires.
There may be some periods of waiting at your appointment so you might find it helpful to bring things for your child to do while you wait.
During your appointment
Many of our rheumatology clinics have a 'one-stop shop approach', with the opportunity for you to see several different professionals in one visit (doctor, physiotherapist, nurse specialist, occupational therapist, ophthalmologist).
We also try to arrange blood tests and x-rays or ultrasound scans on the same day of your appointment.
If your appointment is on Level 0 - Ocean, please check in at the main Evelina London reception. If your appointment is at the Penguin outpatient unit (PDF 135Kb), St Thomas' Hospital, please check in there. You will be handed a questionnaire for you and your child to complete. This helps with our assessment.
We may measure your child's height and weight and blood pressure. Urine samples are sometimes required, but we'll let you know what to do if this is the case.
There will be plenty of time to talk about your concerns. It helps if you come prepared with a list of things you want to discuss.
It is not always possible to predict the needs of our patients during appointments. This can occasionally lead to longer waiting times, but we will always try to see you as promptly as possible.
After your appointment
We will send you a letter to confirm the outcome of your appointment. We will also send a copy of this letter to your GP or the doctor who referred your child.
This letter will have a contact number if you have any questions.
You may find it useful to share this letter with others, such as your child's school.