What to Expect at Your Private Rheumatology Appointment

Once your appointment has been booked, you will receive confirmation of the clinic location, appointment time and practical arrangements.

Self-pay patients will receive a secure payment link. If you are using private medical insurance, please obtain any referral or pre-authorisation required by your insurer before attending.

You will also receive written information about the consultation fee, clinic arrangements and any other relevant practical information.

Information to provide

Where available, please provide:

• Your referral letter and previous clinic correspondence

• Recent blood-test results

• Imaging reports, including X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT or DEXA reports

• An up-to-date list of medication, doses and known allergies

• Photographs of intermittent joint swelling, rashes, ulcers or Raynaud’s colour changes

• A brief timeline of when your symptoms began and how they have changed

Documents can be uploaded securely through your Carebit patient portal or sent to Dr Singh’s personal assistant at DrSinghPA@ThePhysiciansClinic.co.uk.

External NHS and private medical records are not always available automatically, so sending relevant information in advance can help make the best use of your consultation.

If a physical examination is likely, loose and comfortable clothing that allows the affected joints to be examined can be helpful.

A standard new-patient consultation lasts approximately 30 minutes and is suitable for most rheumatological problems. An extended diagnostic consultation of up to 60 minutes is available for complex presentations, extensive previous investigations or detailed second opinions.

Your consultation will be with Dr Singh personally.

He will take time to understand:

• The symptoms that are concerning you

• When they began and how they have changed

• Their effect on your mobility, work, sleep and daily life

• Your wider medical history

• Previous diagnoses and treatments

• Your current medication and allergies

• Any relevant family history

Previous blood tests, imaging and clinic correspondence will be reviewed in the context of your symptoms rather than considered in isolation.

During a face-to-face appointment, Dr Singh will usually perform a relevant physical examination. Depending on your symptoms, this may include assessing the joints, muscles, tendons, spine, skin or circulation. Please mention any concerns or physical limitations, and a chaperone can be arranged where appropriate.

New-patient appointments are usually face-to-face because physical examination can be an important part of rheumatological assessment. Secure video or telephone consultations are available when clinically appropriate, particularly for follow-up, reviewing results or where travel is difficult. If an examination or procedure is required, an in-person appointment may subsequently be recommended.

In many cases, Dr Singh will be able to explain the likely diagnosis at the first consultation.

Sometimes the findings point to several possibilities, or a condition may still be evolving. Rheumatological diagnoses are not always established by one blood test or scan, and results must be interpreted alongside the history and examination.

Where a definite diagnosis cannot yet be made, Dr Singh will explain:

• What appears most likely

• Which alternative explanations need to be considered

• What the existing test results do and do not show

• Whether further investigation would be useful

• Whether structured follow-up is more appropriate than premature diagnostic labelling

The aim is to avoid both missed inflammatory disease and unnecessary investigation or treatment.

Investigations are requested selectively according to the clinical question. A large panel of tests is not automatically more informative than carefully chosen investigations.

Blood tests and X-rays can often be performed on the same day, depending on the clinic and the investigations required. Ultrasound, MRI or other specialist imaging can usually be arranged promptly, although these may require a separate appointment.

Dr Singh will explain what is being requested, why it may be helpful and how the result could influence the diagnosis or treatment plan.

Tests and scans may involve additional charges. Insured patients should check whether separate authorisation is required before proceeding.

By the end of the consultation, you should have a clear plan even if the final diagnosis remains uncertain.

Depending on the situation, this may involve:

• Further blood tests or imaging

• Medication or an adjustment to existing treatment

• A joint or soft-tissue injection

• Advice about exercise, lifestyle or symptom management

• Monitoring without immediate treatment

• Referral to another specialist or service

• Follow-up to review results or treatment response

• Communication with your GP or existing clinical team

Not every patient requires further rheumatology treatment. Sometimes the most useful outcome is reassurance, clarification of previous results or advice about a more appropriate pathway.

A clinic letter summarising the consultation, assessment and agreed plan will usually be sent promptly, often on the same day.

A copy will also be sent to your GP, referring clinician or other healthcare professionals involved in your care where appropriate. This helps maintain continuity and reduces unnecessary duplication of investigations.

Results will be reviewed by Dr Singh and communicated by him or his team, with a follow-up appointment arranged where needed. If medication is recommended, a private prescription can be issued when clinically appropriate.

The method and timing of results review will depend on the investigations requested and whether further clinical discussion is required.

Some patients attend for a single diagnostic assessment or second opinion. Others require follow-up while investigations are completed, treatment is introduced or an established condition is monitored.

There is no assumption that every patient will need long-term private care. Where appropriate, Dr Singh can communicate with your GP, NHS rheumatology team or other clinicians to support safe and coordinated ongoing management.