< /p > < p > The & nbsp;NHS is failing to assess people with rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis quickly enough, a clinical audit has shown. < /p > < p >..."> < /p > < p > The & nbsp;NHS is failing to assess people with rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis quickly enough, a clinical audit has shown. < /p > < p >..." /> < /p > < p > The & nbsp;NHS is failing to assess people with rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis quickly enough, a clinical audit has shown. < /p > < p >..." />

NHS too slow helping people with inflammatory arthritis

< p > < img style="width: 480px; height: 250px; margin-bottom: 10px; vertical-align: top;" alt="A man sitting in a waiting room looking at his watch" src="/~/media/Images/Consultation/waiting-room-480x250.ashx?h=250 & amp;w=480 & la=en" > < /p > < p > The & nbsp;NHS is failing to assess people with rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis quickly enough, a clinical audit has shown. < /p > < p > Rheumatoid arthritis (and other forms of & nbsp;early or inflammatory arthritis, or EIA) & nbsp;are conditions in which the immune system attacks the joints, making them inflamed & nbsp; & ndash; hot, red, painful and swollen. These conditions can lead to long term joint damage causing pain and disability. Urgent, intensive treatment is needed when these conditions occur to stop inflammation and prevent long-term damage. < /p > < p > Published on 25 July 2016, the audit is now in its second year. It measures the NHS & rsquo;s performance against seven standards of high-quality care for people with EIA. < /p > < p > The audit found that many patients in England and Wales with suspected EIA are experiencing long waiting times and delays. < /p > < p > A high proportion of services are failing to meet the quality standards set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including referral from a GP within & nbsp;three days and assessment in a rheumatology service within 3 weeks of referral. < /p > < h2 > Waiting for treatment < /h2 > < p > Early referral, assessment...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news