SLIGO
RHEUMATOLOGY
Make an Appointment
Prof Whelan
(071) 930 0570
Dr. Miriam OʼSullivan
(071) 933 4015
WHAT IS RHEUMATOLOGY ?
Rheumatology is the medical speciality devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. Arthritis, of which there are more than 100 types, is one of the most common rheumatic diseases. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are probably the most well-known. Arthritis is a condition that affects almost one million people in Ireland and is the single biggest cause of disability in this country. It can result in damaged joints, pain, stiffness, immobility and deformity.
In addition to arthritis, rheumatologists also treat and diagnose disorders of joints, bone, muscles and ligaments, such as osteoporosis, hypermobility, tendonitis and chronic widespread pain. Some rheumatic disorders, such as vasculitis, lupus and other connective tissue diseases, are due to complex autoimmune processes and can affect the organs of the body as well as the joints, such as the skin, internal organs, blood vessels and nervous system.
At Sligo Rheumatology, we have over 25 years’ experience in diagnosing and treating patients with a wide range of musculoskeletal and systemic rheumatic diseases.
We aim to provide a holistic approach to patient care, from diagnosis to treatment plans that alleviate pain, maintain or improve joint mobility and function, help prevent disease progression and damage. An essential role of the rheumatologist is to determine what type of arthritis may be affecting an individual so that the appropriate therapeutic options can be initiated.
We also provide joint aspiration to aid diagnosis, in addition to joint and soft tissue injections for symptomatic relief.
Dr. Miriam O’Sullivan
Dr. Miriam O’Sullivan MB, BCh, MMedSci (Sports and Exercise Medicine), MRCPI, PhD is a consultant rheumatologist in Sligo. She graduated from University College Cork in 2002 and completed her postgraduate rheumatology training in Ireland. Following this, she completed her PhD on heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis in UCC in 2014. In 2016, she was awarded a scholarship to complete a fellowship in University of Manchester on SLE. She is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at NUIG and is involved in education of medical students at the Sligo Medical Academy. She is the chairperson of the Sligo Research Ethics Committee (2017- present). She currently collaborates on medical research at NUIG and University of Manchester. She is the Irish lead for ATACC-RA, an international consortium of researchers investigating heart disease in rheumatic conditions. Her areas of special interest in clinical medicine are SLE, inflammatory arthritis and sports injury.
T: (071) 930 0570
E: drwhelan@privateclinic.ie
Prof. Bryan Whelan
Prof Bryan Whelan is a Consultant Rheumatologist in Our Lady’s Hospital in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim and an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medicine in NUIG. He qualified from UCD in 2000 and completed SpR training in Rheumatology in Cork University Hospital, the Mater Hospital Dublin and was awarded a Dr Richard Steevens Scholarship to complete a clinical research fellowship in University College London. He has a Doctorate in medicine and Masters Sports and Exercise Medicine from UCC and an MSc in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is currently a board member of Arthritis Ireland, Irish Society for Rheumatology, SUH Research and Education Foundation and the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine(FSEM) and is also a member of the Academic Committee of the FSEM and the Advisory Committee for Human Medicines Clinical Trials Subcommittee of the HPRA. His clinical rheumatology practice includes all aspects inflammatory and non inflammatory rheumatic disease and his research interests include inflammatory muscle disease, SLE, osteoarthritis and health outcomes research.
OPENING HOURS
Phone line open Mon-Friday 9:30-4pm
ADDRESS
Private Clinic
Our Lady’s Hospital
Manorhamilton, F91X012
Dr Miriam O Sullivan: drosullivan@privateclinic.ie
Prof Whelan: drwhelan@privateclinic.ie
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I make an appointment?
We require GP referrals for patients. Your GP can fax, post or refer via the secure email addresses on this site. Once the referral is made you will be contacted directly with a date and time for your first appointment.
What should I bring with me to my appointment?
You should bring copies of medical information that you may have in your possession. This may include x-ray or MRI reports and relevant blood results. Please also bring a list of current medication and your medical insurance details.
What can I expect on the day of my appointment?
All consultations involve examination, review of reports, diagnosis and treatment plan. Where appropriate, an intervention may be performed on the day or at a later, more suitable date.
Where do I park?
There is patient parking on site.
Consultation Fees
Consultation fee will be confirmed to you in advance of your appointment.
It is not possible to collect payment directly from your Health Insurer for any consultation fees. Depending on your cover you may be entitled to claim a portion of the consultation fee afterwards from your insurer however this is a matter entirely between each patient and their health insurer.
Injections
If you have health insurance then we can submit a claim to your Health Insurer to cover this cost. If you do not have health insurance there is a charge involved for the drugs/procedure on the day.
