Quick answer: Your arthritis care team may include your GP or a first contact practitioner, a rheumatologist, a rheumatology specialist nurse, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a podiatrist and a pharmacist, plus others such as surgeons or psychologists when needed. Many areas let you refer yourself to physiotherapy, and rheumatology departments usually run an advice line for patients under their care.
Why a team?
Arthritis affects more than joints. It can touch sleep, mood, work, feet, hands, medicines and everyday tasks. No single professional can cover all of that, so care in the NHS is shared between people with different skills. Knowing who does what helps you get the right help sooner and avoid being passed around.
Your first point of contact
GP
Your GP is usually your first port of call. They can assess new joint problems, arrange tests, prescribe medicines, refer you to specialists and manage other health conditions. For people on DMARDs, GPs often share care with the hospital, including prescribing and arranging monitoring blood tests.
First contact practitioner (FCP)
Many GP surgeries now have first contact practitioners. These are experienced physiotherapists who can see you directly for muscle, joint and back problems instead of a GP. They can assess and diagnose, give advice and exercises, arrange some tests and referrals, and issue fit notes. Ask at reception if your practice has one.
Community pharmacist
Pharmacists can advise on over-the-counter pain relief, medicine side effects and interactions, and help you manage your medicines. You do not need an appointment. Many offer a medicines review. See our guide to a pharmacist medication review.
Specialist rheumatology care
Rheumatologist
Rheumatologists are doctors who specialise in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, lupus, vasculitis, gout that is hard to control, and polymyalgia rheumatica. They confirm the diagnosis, plan treatment such as DMARDs and biologics, and review you regularly. Most people with osteoarthritis are managed in primary care and do not need to see a rheumatologist.
Rheumatology specialist nurse
Specialist nurses are often the people you will speak to most. They teach you about your condition and medicines, show you how to do injections, review your progress, manage flares, and often run the rheumatology advice line. Ask for the advice line number and hours at your first appointment and save it in your phone.
Other hospital specialists
- Orthopaedic surgeons carry out joint surgery such as joint replacements. See our surgery options guide.
- Dermatologists treat psoriasis and skin problems, often jointly with rheumatology for psoriatic arthritis.
- Ophthalmologists treat eye inflammation linked to some conditions and run hydroxychloroquine eye screening. See our hydroxychloroquine guide.
- Pain specialists help with complex, long-term pain.
- Radiographers and sonographers carry out X-rays and ultrasound scans.
Therapists who help you move and manage
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists help you stay active, reduce pain and improve strength, balance and movement through exercise, education and hands-on treatment. In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy or musculoskeletal (MSK) services. Check your local NHS website or ask at your GP surgery.
Occupational therapist (OT)
Occupational therapists help you manage everyday activities at home and work, including joint protection, pacing, splints and equipment. See our guide to joint protection. Hand therapists are OTs or physiotherapists who specialise in hand and wrist problems. You can be referred through your GP, physiotherapist or rheumatology team, and your council's adult social care team can also arrange an OT assessment for home equipment.
Podiatrist
Podiatrists look after feet, which are often affected by arthritis. They can advise on footwear and insoles, treat painful skin and nail problems, and help with foot pain. NHS podiatry access varies, and some areas allow self-referral, particularly for people with inflammatory arthritis or diabetes.
Support for your wellbeing
- Psychologists and talking therapies help with anxiety, low mood and coping with long-term pain. In England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies. See our guide to anxiety and arthritis.
- Dietitians can help with weight management, nutrition and gut problems.
- Social prescribers, often based in GP practices, connect you with local groups, activities and practical support.
- Social workers and council teams help with care needs, carers' support and home adaptations.
Getting the most from your team
- Keep a list of who is in your team, with contact numbers.
- Keep your own record of medicines, test results and clinic letters. The NHS App can show many results and letters.
- Write down questions before appointments and bring someone with you if you can.
- Tell each professional about changes in your health or medicines.
- If you are unsure who to contact, start with your rheumatology advice line (if you are under rheumatology care) or your GP practice.
If things go wrong
If you have concerns about your care, talk to the team first. If that does not resolve things, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at your hospital can help in England, and each nation has its own NHS complaints process. For urgent problems out of hours, use NHS 111. For emergencies, call 999 or go to A&E.
Who to contact for what: a quick guide
- New joint pain or stiffness: GP or first contact practitioner, or self-refer to physiotherapy where available.
- A flare of inflammatory arthritis: rheumatology advice line.
- Side effects or questions about medicines: pharmacist, rheumatology nurse or GP.
- Blood test results and monitoring: whoever arranged the tests, often your GP practice under shared care.
- Struggling with daily tasks at home: occupational therapist or your council's adult social care team.
- Foot pain or footwear problems: podiatrist.
- Low mood or anxiety: GP or NHS Talking Therapies.
- A hot, swollen joint with fever, or feeling very unwell: NHS 111 urgently, or 999 / A&E in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refer myself to a physiotherapist on the NHS?
In many parts of the UK, yes. Check your local NHS website or ask at your GP surgery about self-referral to physiotherapy or MSK services.
What does a rheumatology nurse do?
Rheumatology specialist nurses provide education, monitor treatment, help with flares and injections, and often run the advice line for patients.
Do I need to see a rheumatologist for osteoarthritis?
Usually not. Most osteoarthritis is managed by GPs, first contact practitioners and physiotherapists, with referral to orthopaedics if surgery is considered.
What is a first contact practitioner?
An experienced physiotherapist based in a GP practice who can assess and manage muscle and joint problems without you seeing a GP first.
Who should I call during a flare?
If you are under rheumatology care, call the rheumatology advice line. Otherwise contact your GP practice, or NHS 111 out of hours.
Sources and further reading
- NHS: Physiotherapy
- NHS: Occupational therapy
- NHS: Foot pain
- NHS: Find NHS Talking Therapies
- NICE NG100: Rheumatoid arthritis in adults
This guide is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Everyone's situation is different, so always follow the advice of your own GP, pharmacist or rheumatology team. If you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact NHS 111.