Arthritis Care challenges ‘half hearted’ health services

Arthritis Care welcomed the National Audit Office (NOA) report into rheumatoid arthritis services and is urging health chiefs to implement its recommendations as swiftly as possible.

The audit published on 15 July 2009 highlights ‘minimal’ GP training in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and poorly coordinated services.

Commenting on the report, Arthritis Care’s chief executive, Neil Betteridge said: 'The NAO report echoes what people with RA have been telling Arthritis Care for years - that it takes too long to get diagnosed. Early diagnosis and referral for suitable treatment is crucial as it can literally stop this debilitating condition in its tracks. 

'We applaud the audit’s recommendations that the Department of Health and Primary Care Trusts (PCT) replace their often scattergun delivery with joined-up services. If actioned, the recommendations in this report should dramatically improve life for people with RA as well as save the country millions of pounds.'

Arthritis Care believes that the key to addressing the majority of the problems identified by the NAO lies in the proper implementation of the Department of Health’s Musculoskeletal Services Framework. The framework, launched in 2006 is a strategy for the delivery of integrated musculoskeletal services for England.

Neil Betteridge goes on to say, 'The Musculoskeletal Services Framework was devised to improve services but any implementation has been intermittent and half-hearted. Arthritis Care is calling on the government and Strategic Health Authorities, plus every PCT, to respond to the audit by prioritising proper implementation of the framework.'

We also want to see a National Clinical Director for musculoskeletal services appointed to drive through improvements in services, just in the same way as one exists in the areas of mental health, diabetes and heart disease.

Read the full press release