Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help improve early diagnosis rates for arthritis.

NHS England is working to help improve early diagnosis rates for arthritis through its Getting It Right First Time rheumatology programme, which is designed to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis. The national report makes a number of recommendations which look to support equitable and consistent access to diagnostic tests.

In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced a range of guidance to support early diagnosis of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Whilst NICE guidelines are not mandatory, healthcare professionals and commissioners are expected to take them fully into account.