The National Rheumatoid and Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit report was commissioned by HQIP as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcome Programme (NCAPOP) and carried out by the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR).
The report reveals that nationally just 20 per cent of patients who see a GP with suspected rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis are referred to specialist services within the three-day limit recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). For some health providers, this wait is over 20 weeks for a quarter of their patients. Nationally, fewer than half of patients who are referred, are seen by a specialist within the three-week time limit recommended by NICE. For some providers, a quarter of patients are waiting more than 12 weeks.
Access the report and affiliated resources here.
