The Rheumatology Futures Project and the Department of Health have launched a new 18-week commissioning pathway for inflammatory arthritis (IA).
The pathway takes account of the recommendations of the recent Kings Fund report, will be a vital resource for commissioners of rheumatology services and clinicians considering service redesign as NHS organisations look to implement the NICE clinical guidelines on rheumatoid arthritis and the recommendations of the soon to be published National Audit Office report.
The pathway has been developed with the help of many healthcare professionals drawn from all disciplines and patient and professional organisations working with the Department of Health. The inflammatory arthritis commissioning pathway forms part of the package of more than 50 pathways, spanning a wide range of conditions and diseases, which have been developed as part of the Department of Health's 18-week initiative.
The Rheumatology Futures Project, who commissioned the pivotal research by the King's Fund, are now working next to add an innovative ‘patient pathway' layer to the commissioning pathway, which will outline what services a patient can expect to be provided with along a pathway of care. This approach will take into account the service needs and expectations of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis (three of the most common forms of IA).
Susan Oliver, Chair of the Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Group and Joint Chair of the Rheumatology Futures Group said:
“Commissioners face immense challenges in preparing a comprehensive package of health and social care services for their population across a wide range of disease areas. This is often done with only a limited knowledge of the specific factors that need to be considered for every disease area. The IA Commissioning Pathway identifies the core generic needs of inflammatory arthritis patients as well as the more detailed commissioning evidence required to ensure an effective pathway of care. The pathway also provides a comprehensive package to enable three key inflammatory arthritis conditions to benefit from high calibre commissioning.”
Alan Nye, Elective Care Clinical Advisor from the Department of Health who was involved in producing the 18 Week Pathway said:
"The Department of Health welcomes the addition of the inflammatory arthritis pathway to its suite of more than 50 high-volume symptom-based 18 Weeks commissioning pathways. Both commissioners and clinicians should find this an invaluable tool in ensuring patients are set on the right pathway of care, and are seen in the right place, at the right time, by the right person."
Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive of NRAS and Joint Chair of the Rheumatology Futures Group said:
“We know that people with inflammatory forms of arthritis experience many challenges when negotiating their healthcare needs. A wealth of research backed up by the recent King's Fund Report, has demonstrated that people want and need a clearer understanding of what they should expect in terms of healthcare provision to enable them to manage their condition effectively but also to empower them to be confident about when they should seek expert advice and support. Unfortunately, because of the significant variance in service provision across the country and poor understanding of the needs of patients, equity of access has continued to be a problem. We now have a solution that will encourage commissioners to address variances in provision and recognise high quality care for people with inflammatory forms of arthritis.”