Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the (a) symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and (b) support available for patients and families.

The Government has produced a guide on musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/musculoskeletal-health-applying-all-our-health/musculoskeletal-health-applying-all-our-health

The Department is currently developing a Major Conditions Strategy, in consultation with NHS England and colleagues across the Government. Given their contribution to the burden of disease, MSK conditions such as arthritis will be included in the strategy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced expert guidance to support healthcare professionals in the early diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The guidance for the early diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is available, respectively, at the following links:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng100

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226

From 2022/23 to 2024/25, the Government is spending more than £11.3 billion to support elective recovery and tackle long waiting times, which could deliver nine million more checks and procedures to help support patients with conditions like arthritis. In the Spring Budget 2023, the Government also announced £400 million of funding for scaling up MSK Physical Activity Hubs and embedding employment advice within MSK pathways.

General rheumatology services, which support people with a range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are locally commissioned by integrated care boards, which are best placed to make decisions according to local need.