The rehabilitation unit in the treatment or rneumatoid arthritis

The Devonshire Royal Hospital, Buxton, England, was developed from a spa hospital into the Manchester Regional Centre for Rheumatism and Rehabilitation. Patients with active rheumatoid disease are admitted to the hospital's Rheumatism Service, not to the Rehabilitation Unit. Fifty per cent of patients admitted to the Rehabilitation Unit have rheumatoid arthritis, with reablement or resettlement as their main problem. Nine hundred and eighty-eight rheumatoid patients admitted in a period of five years had chronic disease but recent disability (633 off work under one year). Their average hospital stay was 10 weeks. Five hundred and forty-four were admitted severely disabled; 247 were discharged so graded. One hundred and thirty-eight were fit for some work on admission and 498 on discharge. Sixty-five per cent of housewives could run their homes. In a sample of 100 male rheumatoid patients, 39 men were fit for their own jobs and were easily placed; 43 needed lighter work and over 20 of these were adequately resettled when checked at three and 36 months. The earnings of these men exceeded the cost of rehabilitation for the whole group.