Rheumatology services in North Wales What are your views?

To assist in this process we would be grateful if you could consider taking part in a survey. Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary and will not affect any services you are currently receiving. This is about you helping us to plan for future services.
 
Rheumatology is the discipline that specialises in the investigation, diagnosis and management of people with arthritis, autoimmune and other musculoskeletal conditions. A significant proportion of rheumatological conditions affect other organ systems such as the lung, kidney, skin, eye, the nervous system and the bowel. Many of these disorders need to be diagnosed by a rheumatologist, as knowledge and skills to do so otherwise are not as extensive among non-rheumatology medical professionals.  These conditions include inflammatory and non-inflammatory disorders which predominantly affect the joints, bones, muscles and soft tissues. Although the prevalence of some conditions such as arthritis rises with age, musculoskeletal conditions may affect all age groups and specialists see a large variety of patients.
 
We are reviewing the way in which Rheumatology services are provided across North Wales.  We do not have dedicated inpatient beds but daycase and outpatient rheumatology services are currently provided from three hospital sites: Wrexham Maelor Hospital (East), Glan Clwyd Hospital (Central) and Llandudno Hospital (West).  In addition the area teams provide outpatient clinics in community hospitals across the region.

The quality and safety of our Rheumatology service is a hugely important issue for the people of North Wales.  We face significant challenges in maintaining services in their current form and we need to consider the changes required to safeguard service provision.

We want to find out how you feel about the service that you (or a friend or relative) have used in North Wales and to ask how you think they could be improved. Your opinion will help identify what is important to service users and what needs to be considered from their perspective in the design of future Rheumatology services.
 
The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous; we will not be able to identify you in any way, so feel free to respond honestly. You are under no obligation to complete any of the questions in this survey. Comments will be treated in confidence and used only for the purpose of this review.
 
The health board has a clear commitment to promote equality and human rights in everything we do.  Any plans/proposals coming forward in relation to this review must demonstrate due regard to equality and human rights.
  
Thank you for your time and valuable contribution to this project.
 
In anticipation of your participation, many thanks

North Wales Clinical Lead for Rheumatology Services