Dr Rikesh Patel

I am a dual-accredited Consultant Rheumatologist and Internal Medicine Physician with a primary specialist interest in complex connective tissue disease and vasculitis, particularly Giant Cell Arteritis, Takayasu arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. I am the joint Clinical Lead for Rheumatology at Manchester Royal Infirmary, the largest tertiary rheumatology and vasculitis centre in the North West, where I support development of regional pathways and multidisciplinary collaboration across the network.

Alongside this subspecialist work, I have broad expertise in the diagnosis, assessment and management of the full spectrum of inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatic disease and take particular satisfaction in working within true multidisciplinary teams involving physiotherapists, radiologists, surgeons, sports medicine colleagues and allied professionals to deliver comprehensive and patient-centred care.

I provide a full Rheumatology service offering comprehensive diagnosis, assessment, imaging and management of musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions. This includes the initiation, prescribing and monitoring of conventional DMARD therapy where necessary. I have specialist expertise in connective tissue diseases and vasculitis, particularly Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and large vessel vasculitis.

I manage the full spectrum of Rheumatic disorders including inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), crystal arthropathies, complex soft tissue disorders and other autoimmune conditions.

I am joint Clinical Lead for Rheumatology across Manchester Royal Infirmary and North Manchester General Hospital, within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. In this role, I provide clinical leadership for services at both sites, supporting service development, governance, complex case management, and regional collaboration, particularly within tertiary connective tissue disease and vasculitis pathways.