Government white paper launch

The government has set out its vision for healthcare reform in England in a white paper published today, with patient experience, shared decision-making and patient-centred services as key drivers for change.

Welcoming the white paper's emphasis on putting patients and the public first, Federico Moscogiuri, head of policy and campaigns, said: 'Empowering people with arthritis to take control of their own health and involving them in healthcare decision-making is crucial in terms of delivering high-quality, personalised health services which genuinely meet patients' needs.'

'We are therefore very pleased and greatly encouraged by the fact that the current government has firmly expressed its commitment to this key principle by making it the bedrock of its white paper on the reform of the NHS, with the words "no decision about me without me".'

'Much, however, will depend on how this is applied in practice. Despite its enormous impact, and despite affecting up to 10 million people in the UK, arthritis continues to be a condition which is largely neglected in the NHS. It is therefore paramount that a greater emphasis on patient-centred services is accompanied by an adequate and accessible infrastructure, as well as appropriate measures to ensure that frontline services – and GPs in particular – are both fully equipped and actively encouraged to be on the lookout for – and respond effectively to – the symptoms of arthritis, chief of which is chronic pain.'

'Arthritis Care will therefore be looking closely at the proposals for implementing this white paper with a view to ensuring that the reforms are delivered with the best interests of people with arthritis in mind, and we will continue to ensure that the voice of people with arthritis gets heard at every opportunity and in every forum.'