Rheumatology
The Rheumatology service provides care and treatment for children and young people with bone and joint diseases including juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It is a free public health service available to all Medicare eligible children who live in Queensland or northern New South Wales.
Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, made of specialist doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, pathology and pharmacy staff.
The specialist team can see and treat children in outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and day admission areas.
Clinics
Outpatient clinics
Outpatient clinic days and times vary, Monday to Friday.
Telehealth
Telehealth services are available for some regional patients.
Outreach Clinics
Outreach clinics in rural areas are not currently offered, however travel subsidies are available for patients who need to attend all outpatient and inpatient services. Check with your local health care facility for eligibility, booking and claim details.
Who can access this service?
New patients
Referrals are accepted up to a child’s 16th birthday.
Existing patients with complex care needs
Referrals are accepted up to a child’s 18th birthday.
Catchment area
The service is available to children living in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Do I need a referral?
You will need a formal referral to access this service.
New patients are usually referred to the Rheumatology Service after being assessed by their local doctor/GP, specialist general paediatrician, or from another Queensland Health facility.
*A referral must be received before an appointment can be made.
Appointments
We offer public appointments and the service is free of charge for Medicare holders.
Information for health professionals
Rheumatology provides inpatient and outpatient services to children and young people. The types of conditions diagnosed, treated and managed include:
- juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
- juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)
- vasculitis
- SLE
- systemic sclerosis and scleroderma
- chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)
- periodic fever syndromes and auto inflammatory conditions
- joint hypermobility
- inflammatory brain disease
- inpatient, day admission and outpatient facilities are available
- intra articular steroid injections under general and local anaesthetic
- steroid, cytotoxic and biologic medication infusions
- patient education support and treatment monitoring
- collaboration for care with other specialities (including General Paediatrics, Opthalmology, Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Nephrology, Neurology, Orthopaedic, Medical Imaging, Cardiac and Anaesthesia)
- adolescent transition service.
Useful links
Arthritis Queensland
Australian Rheumatology Association
Paediatric Rheumatology Information Europe
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Rheumatology Service
Our team
Director
Dr Ben Whitehead BSc, MBBS (Hons), FRACP
Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologists
Dr Rebecca James MBBS (Hons), BSc (Med), BA, FRACP
Dr Megan Cann MBBS (Hons), FRACP
This service is available at
General Medicine (2e)
Queensland Children’s Hospital
Level 2
501 Stanley Street
South Brisbane
QLD 4101
View map
Contact details
The preferred method for contacting the Rheumatology Service is via email.
e:CHQ_RheumAdmin@health.qld.gov.au
t:07 3068 2389
Operating hours
Administration support
Monday to Friday, 8am–3.30pm.
Rheumatology medical cover
Monday to Sunday, 8am–4.30pm.