Dr Rizwan Rajak

I am Consultant Rheumatologist offering private appointments for a range of musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions.

I graduated with honours at Cardiff Medical School in 2005 and subsequently undertook my specialist training in the University Hospital of Wales. This involved training in specialist clinics including osteoporosis, biological therapies, connective tissue disease/lupus, soft tissue rheumatism, and ankylosing spondylitis. Subsequently I worked as a consultant at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, where I undertook further specialisation in musculoskeletal ultrasound and metabolic bone disease. I am currently the Clinical Lead for Osteoporosis and Bone Health and Rheumatology Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Croydon Health Service NHS Trust. With the former I am developing a local integrated bone health service with colleagues from multiple medical and surgical specialities. With the latter I have developed a local diagnostic service and also set up a regional network with other centres in standardising scanning practice and training. As part of this service I provide ultrasound guided musculoskeletal injections and I have been training other doctors in the use of MSK ultrasound for several years.

For the development of these services I was awarded a Clinical Excellence Award in 2016. Furthermore, I am Co-lead on the development of an Early Inflammatory Arthritis service with the chief objective being to diagnose and treat inflammatory arthritis early, to preserve joint health and prevent long term damage, as per national best practice.

I have an extensive background in teaching, having been the Lead Clinical Tutor for Rheumatology at the University Hospital of Wales, and an Honorary Clinical Teacher at Cardiff University. For this I received an award in teaching excellence. I am currently the Course Director for Rheumatology and the University of South Wales and have overseen the educational and examination material of the diploma and masters courses. I have also tutored on the degrees and found the MSc dissertation development with the students particularly rewarding. I am the SCE editor of the rheumatology exit exam question database with Study PRN. On an annual basis I chair, organise and facilitate an annual MSK ultrasound training day and postgraduate GP education evening. I provide about 20 to 30 lectures, seminars and workshops a year to doctors, allied health professionals and patients. I have also published and given lectures on all aspects of rheumatology in regional and national conferences. I am also a Royal College of Physicians Tutor and a member of the Education Board for the British Society of Rheumatology.

To expand my skills base I undertook a Masters in Medical Law at Cardiff law school and write medico-legal reports on a regular basis following this training. I have been Medicines Management Chair and Medicines Safety Group Chair at Croydon Health services for five years overseeing the governance of medicines use in the trust. I am also an appraiser of other doctors and work as a Medical Examiner for Croydon Health services reviewing cases of mortality and advising accordingly.

To expand my skills base I undertook a Masters in Medical Law at Cardiff law school. Using this training in Bath I was on the risk management committee. Currently, I am the Chair for the Medicines Management Committee and Medicines Safety Group at Croydon Health NHS Services, ensuring that optimal use and safety of medicines are employed by the trust.