Musculoskeletal Disorders: Health Services

(asked on 23rd June 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the priorities will be of the newly established Best MSK Health programme; and whether that programme will include a focus on supporting people with rheumatoid arthritis to achieve disease remission.


Answered by
Helen Whately Portrait
Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 1st July 2021

The Best MSK Health programme was recently launched by NHS England and NHS Improvement and covers the breadth of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, spanning primary, secondary and community services.

One of the four key rheumatology pathways in the Best MSK Health collaborative specifically addresses care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This pathway provides for early diagnosis and treatment for people with rheumatoid arthritis and therefore increases their prospects of achieving remission. The pathway also addresses key features in their follow-up care which will help to maintain remission, such as prompt access to clinical staff through advice lines, patient initiated follow up and access to ongoing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

Reticulating Splines