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 ensure the early diagnosis of people with arthritis.

NHS England is working to ensure and improve early diagnosis of people with arthritis, as well as treatment and care, through the Getting it Right First Time rheumatology programme. The programme published a national report on rheumatology in 2021, which makes a series of recommendations to support equitable and consistent access to diagnostic tests. Additionally, 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.

To support the health of people with arthritis while they are waiting for elective treatment, NHS England has worked with Versus Arthritis on their Joint Replacement Support Package. The National Health Service has also published resources on the My Planned Care website to support arthritis patients waiting for hip and knee surgery to maintain their health and wellbeing and to be ready for surgery when it arrives. The website is available at the following link:

https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/care-support/