Catriona Howse has been the Rheumatology Nurse Specialist at Queen Mary’s since November 2004. She started her career as a staff nurse in 1989 at Guys Hospital London, where she trained. During her nursing career she has worked mainly in the field of chronic disease management, and prior to her position as Rheumatology Nurse Specialist at Queen Mary’s she spent 11 years at Kings College Hospital Renal Unit as a Nurse Specialist in Transplantation and Pre-dialysis. In the past year and a half Catriona has established and continues to manage various services within the multi-disciplinary Rheumatology Department. Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy are within the same area; Pharmacy, X-Ray and Pathology are only a short distance away. This makes access to these other services for patients with Inflammatory Arthritis very easy.
The Specialist Nurse has a patient and carer centred approach to care, and the services that she provides are described below.
Patient Education and Information
Nurse Run Clinics
The nurse will be able to spend time with you answering any questions that you have related to your disease. During these clinics the specialist nurse will be able to offer the following services:
Rheumatology Helpline
The helpline has been available since December 2004 and has seen a month on month growth in numbers of calls received. Patients with inflammatory arthritis use the advice line for different types of reasons, but the majority of calls are for:
Over recent months the helpline has expanded and some patients have been able to seek information and advice via e-mail communication direct to the Nurse Specialist. One patient who has used the helpline said:“Since being diagnosed with RA I have felt very isolated as I don't know anyone with this condition. I found the pain and fatigue distressing and the various side effects of medication worrying. Then I was told about the RA Helpline and have been using it regularly. I simply cannot describe what a difference this has made to my everyday life. Catriona Howse is very friendly and her advice is both practical and reassuring. I have also used the email access when my dentist was reluctant to treat me as I am on Humira [adalimumab] and she was concerned about the possibility of infection. This is a vital service especially as many GP practices have very little expertise in Rheumatoid Arthritis and the various medications involved”.
Anti - TNF Drugs and Monitoring
The Nurse Specialist is responsible for providing information about Anti-TNF medication that is currently available, so that patients can make an informed decision about which drug would best suit them. Once patients have been assessed and found to fit the criteria for Anti-TNF medication, the Nurse Specialist ensures that patients are monitored regularly in order to assess their response to treatment and any possible side effects. She also collates departmental audit data. Currently there are approximately 180 patients on biologic agents.