When should you see a rheumatologist?
If you have muscle or joint symptoms that are causing you problems consult your General Practitioner who will decide if your symptoms require assessment by a Rheumatologist. A Rheumatologist is a specialist physician who has expertise in diagnosing and treating arthritis, other musculoskeletal conditions and autoimmune diseases. Sometimes called ‘rheumatic diseases’.
Arthritis mainly affects the joints while other musculoskeletal conditions can affect the joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, skin, eyes, internal organs and the nervous system.
A referral letter from a GP or specialist is required to see a Rheumatologist.
Some of the more common diseases and conditions rheumatologists treat are:
| Joint diseases | osteoarthritis, gout, spinal problems |
| Muscle and tendons | fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica |
| Bone diseases | osteoporosis, Paget’s disease |
| Autoimmune diseases | rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma |
| Connective tissue diseases | hypermobility spectrum disorders, Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome |
Your GP or referring specialist will advise you whether your referral is urgent or non- urgent. There is a set of criteria that helps them decide on the urgency of your referral.
Adult Rheumatology Services in the ACT
PUBLIC
Canberra Health Services – Department of Rheumatology (Canberra Hospital) – must be referred by GP or specialist, services are bulk-billed direct to Medicare.
- Urgent referrals: if your GP feels you need immediate assessment and treatment they will contact the on-call rheumatology register at Canberra Hospital and then may send you to the Emergency Department at The Canberra Hospital.
- Non-urgent referrals: are sent via email (eReferral) by the GP or specialist directly to the department. The eReferral is then triaged according to urgency from 1-3 (e.g. Category 1 seen first). The rheumatology department will contact you with an appointment.
Three clinics are held: Biologic Clinic, Early Arthritis Clinic, General Rheumatology Clinic
PRIVATE
Private rheumatology services require a referral from a GP or other medical specialist before an appointment can be made. The following are rheumatologists are practicing in the ACT, however services are tight currently and new patients need to
Canberra Medical Specialists
Rheumatologists: Dr Chandi Perera* and Dr Kokum Dissanayake
Telephone number: (02) 5134 5998
Address: Suite 4, 6 Phipps Close, Deakin ACT 2600
*Dr Chandi Perera is the also the Head of Canberra Health Services, Rheumatology Dept.
Rheumatology ACT (currently not taking new patients)
Rheumatologists: Dr Ken Khoo Dr Peta Pentony Dr Ted Tsai Dr Suren Jayaweera
Telephone number: (02) 6260 3796
Address: Level 1, 1 Bowes Place, Woden ACT 2606 Referrals to: email referrals@rheumatologyact.com.au or PO Box 88, Woden ACT 2606 or by Fax: (02) 6260 3402
Dr Ling San Wong
Telephone number: (02) 6269 2455
Address: Located at- Equinox 2, 24/70 Kent Street, Deakin ACT 2600. Patients over 15yrs of age.
Canberra Rheumatology – not taking new patients.
Paediatric Rheumatology Services
A visiting paediatric rheumatologist attends the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. Enquiries can be made by your referring doctor with Canberra Health Services.
There are no private paediatric rheumatologists in the ACT.
A GP or other specialist referral letter is required to see a rheumatologist for public/private or interstate services.
Generally public health service clinics contact the parent/carer to make an appointment. For private referrals the practice can be contacted directly to make an appointment.
Finding a Rheumatologist
To find an adult or paediatric rheumatologist follow the link https://rheumatology.org.au/For-Patients/Find-a-Rheumatologist
