
In Your Area
Find your local NASS branch
Read moreHow a rehabilitation course could help your axial SpA
This information is for anyone with axial spondyloarthritis, including people with ankylosing spondylitis.
The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath (RNHRD) has a long tradition of providing excellent clinical care for axial SpA patients. RNHRD is now part of the Royal United Hospital (RUH) Bath, and continue to run a specialist two-week rehabilitation course for axial SpA.
The aim of this course is to promote self-management and provide patients with the resources to optimise their health.
The axial SpA course aims to help:
The course is run by a multidisciplinary team which includes:
The course is largely delivered by the physiotherapy team who deliver daily exercise, stretching and hydrotherapy sessions. Exercise sessions could include stretches, strength training, yoga inspired stretches, Pilates, tai chi, and Nordic walking.
The education sessions focus on empowering self-management strategies, including:
Each person on the course is reviewed by the consultant rheumatologist on a weekly multidisciplinary ward round where individual progress on the course is discussed and any issues around medications, investigations and complications of disease are dealt with.
The two-week course is group-based (usually 7 people at maximum) and provided at different levels of intensity to cater for different levels of disease severity and functional ability.
The course is residential, with accommodation in single occupancy rooms on-site at the RUH. You can attend daily if local to the RUH.
Accessing the RNHRD/RUH Course
Patients can be referred to this course by their consultant rheumatologist, or by their GP, to be assessed for their suitability for the course.
Referrals should be made via Choose and Book to:
Professor Raj Sengupta,
Consultant Rheumatologist
Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Combe Park
Bath
BA1 3NG
Further information about the course can be obtained from: Belinda Jones, Course Bookings Administrator on 01225 821349 (belindajones@nhs.net).
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) runs a three week in-patient programme. It offers information, education, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. All patients can access occupational therapy and counselling.
The team is led by Dr Gayatri Mittal, Clinical Lead for axial SpA services. For further information please contact Dr Mittal’s office on 0208 385 3040 or email.
Find your local NASS branch
Read moreThe role of physiotherapy
Read moreFind out what medications are used to manage your axial SpA
Read more