The report covers the period 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022 and makes a range of recommendations to clinicians and decision-makers.
The report’s key findings include:
- Speed of referral from primary care has improved with 54% of referrals meeting the three-day NICE target (vs 47% in year two).
- Conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) treatment delays remain stable with initiation within six weeks of referral in 65% of patients (vs 64% in year two).
- Most trust/health boards (90%) continue to engage with treat-to-target strategies (vs 89% in year two).
- Patient reported outcomes: Clinically meaningful improvements were recorded for all measures over the first three months of specialist care.
Click here to read what the audit’s Clinical Director, Dr Jo Ledingham, has to say about the year 4 findings.
Please also note that our organisational audit will be launching on 1 November. We will share further information with you in due course
If you have any queries or questions, please email the NEIAA team at: audit@rheumatology.org.uk
