RHEUMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Rheumatology at Bon Secours
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The Rheumatology Department at Bon Secours offers a broad spectrum of treatment to its patients. Dr Maurice Barry, Consultant Rheumatologist discusses.
The team Four rheumatologists provide a consultant service - Dr Eoin Casey, Dr Susan Sant, Dr Paul O'Connell and Dr Maurice Barry. Drs Sant and Barry hold on-site outpatient clinics twice weekly and all provide inpatient care and see consults.
The service The spectrum of conditions seen includes inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and soft tissue rheumatic conditions such as tendinitis and fibromyalgia. The vast majority of imaging investigations required can be carried out on site including MRI, CT, DEXA and ultrasound and a full array of laboratory investigations can be ordered with a very rapid 'turn around' time for results.
A broad range of specialties are represented at the hospital which is reassuring when complex or multisystem cases require input from other disciplines. The broad range of specialties also results in the rheumatology department being consulted on a large variety of rheumatic conditions arising e.g. in oncology, orthopaedic and geriatric patients.
in the hospital by an increasingly knowledgeable and experienced staff. Experience also counts in Physiotherapy and the therapists are extremely efficient at assessing, treating and rehabilitating a range of rheumatic conditions within an increasingly short time-frame.
Quality nursing care The treatment The treatment options available to rheumatologists have changed dramatically in the last decade. This is especially true of inflammatory arthritis. There are now at least ten biologic agents which are highly effective, well tolerated and have revolutionised the quality of life for those with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Some of these agents are infused in the day ward
For some rheumatic patients the key to the success of their hospital stay is the quality of the nursing care. This is often multi-faceted and includes understanding the patient and their condition; controlling their symptoms and caring for them in a holistic way; and organising investigations and treatment to minimise their time in hospital. The nursing staff at Bon Secours work very hard and are very effective at all of the above. BON SECOURS HOSPITAL
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