Rheumatology

Programme description

GMC Reference: WOS/405

Rheumatology has rapidly developed and has made its presence known on the map over the last 10 years. It is a broad specialty which encompasses a wide variety of inflammatory, autoimmune and degenerative disorders.  Most departments within the rotation have specialist clinics relating to the main themes of inflammatory arthritis; early arthritis; anti-TNFx clinics, Psoriatic arthritis; Spondyloarthropathies; Connective Tissue Diseases.  Furthermore, there are more specialist clinics such as Amyloid, Sports Medicine and Ultrasound Clinics, Paediatric and Bone Metabolism. These clinics allow trainees to identify a particular interest and expertise in a specific aspect of Rheumatology.  There is exposure to acute rheumatological presentations e.g. acute arthritides, vasculitides etc., through General Medical receiving and intra specialty referrals.  Most departments have active multidisciplinary teams which the trainees will actively participate in.  As trainees progress they are encouraged to become increasingly independent clinicians knowing that senior support is readily available in difficult cases.

Glasgow has become a Centre of Excellence in Rheumatology.

Rheumatology in the West of Scotland is a compact specialty which generates a collegiate atmosphere between senior and junior colleagues.  It is noted for being a friendly and approachable specialty with a wide variety of training and research opportunities available.  On the West of Scotland Rheumatology Training Programme, trainees achieve dual accreditation at the end of their training in both General (Internal) Medicine and Rheumatology.

Trainees rotate annually between Rheumatology Departments based both in city centre teaching hospitals and District General Hospitals.  Most attachments involve a commitment to General Medical receiving, as part of General (Internal) Medicine, and a combination of Rheumatology and General Medicine inpatient care.

Research, audit, teaching and management opportunities

There is an active regional CPD programme, as well as Regular  National SpR Training Days. Trainees are expected to participate fully in these. There are ample opportunities to participate in audit, and attendance at national conferences is strongly encouraged. Trainees will also be encouraged to become involved in undergraduate teaching, as there are strong links with the University of Glasgow Medical School.

There is a vibrant clinical academic Rheumatology department in Glasgow led by Professor Iain McInnes. Glasgow is one of six Arthritis Research UK Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centres in the UK, is the Arthritis Research UK Centre of Excellence for RA research, and is a EULAR centre of excellence.   There are plentiful opportunities for all specialist trainees to take part in clinical and laboratory research with trainees having the opportunity to spend up to 3 years Out of Programme to complete an MD or PhD thesis.  Trainees who are interested on embarking on such a programme are strongly encouraged to contact Professor Ian McInnes at iain.mcinnes@glasgow.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity.

Where the training is delivered?

• Forth Valley Royal Hospital - FVRH
• Gartnavel General, Glasgow
• Glasgow Royal Infirmary
• Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock
• New Victoria Hospital, Glasgow
• Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
• The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow
• Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow
• University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire
• University Hospital Ayr
• University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
• University Hospital Monklands, Airdrie
• University Hospital Wishaw
• Western Infirmary, Glasgow

Contacts and useful links

Information
Programme type (Deanery or National):	Deanery
Administration office:	West
Lead Dean / Director:	Professor Adam Hill
Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP):	Dr Marie Freel
Specialty or Sub-specialty:	Specialty
Date of GMC recent approval:	Aug 2010
Associated Royal College - Faculty:	Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board
Curriculum and associated assessment system:	https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/curricula/rheumatology-curriculum
Programme administrator:	Name: Victoria Hannah Address: NHS Education for Scotland, West Region, 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street, Glasgow. G3 8BW Email: victoria.hannah2@nhs.scot
Programme director(s):	Name: Dr Sandeep Bawa Address: Gartnavel General Hospital Email: Sandeep.Bawa@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Quality of training:	Quality Management

How to apply

This page was last updated on: 27.02.2025 at 13.09