BSR Public Affairs

• Department of Health Musculoskeletal Services Strategy
  Rheumatology representation has been ensured on the Department of Health strategy development working group as a result of BSR and ARMA lobbying. A draft of the strategy will be produced in summer 2005. The final document was released on 31 October 2006.
• Payment by Results
  BSR has been pursuing problems caused in Foundation Trusts, particularly difficulties in securing funds for anti-TNFα, caused by the introduction of the Payment by Results scheme. We are working alongside the Specialised Health Care Alliance (SHCA) and are represented on the Musculoskeletal Healthcare Group (HRG), which monitors and evaluates the use of resources in the treatment of patients.
• Standards of Care
  BSR took an active role in the development of the first set of ARMA’s Standards of Care and assisted with their launch to the media. The society is also involved in encouraging Health Professionals to take up the Standards in their practice. These have been extremely successful and more are being developed.

If you have any other lobbying or campaigning issues to bring to BSR’s attention please contact Katy Lewis, Policy Officer at klewis@rheumatology.org.uk.