Cannock Hospital is pioneer in tackling arthritis

Thousands of arthritis patients from around the country are being sent to Cannock Hospital – the only place in the UK to offer a specialist testing service for sufferers.

Health chiefs appointed Alison Hall as a consultant sonographer specialising largely in rheumatoid arthritis three years ago.

The unique post means waiting times for treatment are being cut with early and more accurate diagnosis of the condition and treatment is more focused.

The 52-year-old former radiographer from Shropshire underwent three years' training on ultrasound equipment geared solely for patients suffering from inflamed joints.

The imaging equipment has revolutionised the service, replacing other more expensive tests such as MRI and CT scans. It has also saved money on costly drugs.

The £50,000 ultrasound machine has taken over from more basic methods of testing for symptoms, such as simply feeling a patient's joint. The money was raised by patients.

Since Cannock led the way, seven other trusts have invested in specialist ultrasound consultants but none other in rheumatoid condtions.

Control of the disease has also been helped in the past two years by new medication, similar to chemotherapy drugs.

Patients are put on the strongest drugs first, rather than the weakest as before, to put them into remission. The treatment can then be decreased as required.

Mrs Hall said: "People cannot always tell exactly where they feel pain but with this machinery we can locate the specific area. We can catch the early stages of the condition and start treatment straight away and we can also see if people are in remission." Mrs Hall, who is employed by Keele University, is seconded to Cannock Hospital for two days each week.