"Excellent service in the rheumatology department"

I attended an appointment at the rheumatology department today regarding pain I have had in my wrists for over a year.

Self check-in was simple and fast.

I was quickly seen by a consultant, and given a comprehensive physical exam of all my joints and asked multiple relevant questions. It didn't feel rushed, and everything was explained to me and all of my questions answered fully and to my complete satisfaction.

I was then sent for multiple bloods and an in-depth ultrasound scan ...all within the same department. I was encouraged to watch everything on screen and had everything I was seeing explained. It was both fascinating and interesting. In between these examinations, I was taken back into the consultants' office and again had every step explained to me.

I was given a preliminary diagnosis and offered immediate pain relief in the form of an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection.

I will be notified by post as soon as the blood results are back and the consultant wants to see me again in a couple of weeks to see how I'm getting on and talk about treatment going forward.

All of this was completed in three hours at the one stop outpatients clinic in the rheumatology department of Tameside hospital.

Absolutely superb service.