15 December 2025
As 2025 comes to an end, we are celebrating everything you have helped the rheumatology community achieve this year. Across clinical practice, research, service improvement, education and policy, 2025 has been shaped by collaboration and shared progress.
Improving clinical care and supporting better decisions
Throughout the year, members shaped guidance, evidence and insights that strengthen day to day practice.
- BSR’s updated guidelines for axial spondyloarthritis, ANCA associated vasculitis and csDMARD prescribing and monitoring are now helping clinicians across the UK deliver consistent, high-quality care.
- New recommendations for foot health in inflammatory arthritis are supporting better multidisciplinary management.
- Our first living guideline, focused on Behçet’s, is giving teams access to continuously updated evidence as soon as it becomes available.
- The systemic sclerosis webinar series continued to offer practical education rooted in current challenges and real clinical questions.
- We published a briefing providing clinicians with guidance on managing triamcinolone shortages, an issue which has created significant challenges for paediatric rheumatology teams, patients, and their families.
These resources are informed by member expertise, lived experience and system data, creating improvements that cut across specialties and settings.
Strengthening the evidence base and showcasing innovation
BSR’s publishing activity continued to grow, driven by the community’s commitment to advancing research and practice across the specialty.
- Dr Mwidimi Ndosi joined Rheumatology Advances in Practice as Editor in Chief, widening perspectives and strengthening the multidisciplinary nature of our research publishing.
- A special issue on AI in rheumatology highlighted emerging digital tools and new approaches to diagnosis, treatment and research.
- Rheumatology moved to a fully online format, making content easier to access and supporting sustainability goals.
- The first RAP mentoring scheme helped early career colleagues build confidence and capability in academic publishing.
This work supports everyone in the specialty by promoting high quality evidence and enabling new ideas to reach practice.
Using data to shape policy and improve services
Insights from across the UK helped members understand performance, influence local improvement and strengthen the case for high quality rheumatology services.
Data from the National Early Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases Audit played a central role in this work. Its record participation and evidence gave the specialty a clearer national picture and strong foundations for service development.
- The audit reached record participation in 2025, with 96% of eligible trusts taking part and 7,565 patients recruited.
- Timeliness of care continued to improve, with 60% of patients receiving treatment within the recommended timeframe.
- Structured referral pathways are now used in 76% of early inflammatory arthritis cases, helping standardise access to rapid assessment.
- A case study from Leicester showed how collaboration and streamlined processes can significantly improve outcomes.
Members are using these findings to support business cases, influence commissioning and reshape pathways locally.
The audit evidence also informed BSR’s national influencing work. BSR used these insights, along with member feedback, to ensure the needs of the specialty were clearly represented in policy discussions.
- We continued to push for action on paediatric rheumatology drug shortages.
- We submitted a response to the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England, reflecting the priorities and pressures our members face.
- Through the MDT Council, we highlighted challenges and progress on shared care, homecare, advice lines and drug shortages.
- The first BSR and GIRFT Rheumatology Clinical Fellow was appointed and is leading data-driven projects to support change and improvement in the specialty.
This work was carried out by BSR on behalf of our members, ensuring national decision making remains rooted in clinical realities and the challenges facing rheumatology teams.
Developing skills and supporting the whole MDT
This year saw significant growth in education and training opportunities for every part of the multidisciplinary rheumatology workforce.
- Our e-learning platform delivered 11 new spotlight packages, meeting demand for flexible, high-quality CPD.
- Patient Voices in Rheumatology launched as a new one-day course that places patient experience at the centre of learning.
- A new joint injection workshop supported trainees with essential hands-on skills.
- Core Skills in Rheumatology, Ultrasound for Rheumatology Practice and Rheumatology for Specialist Nurses all returned with strong engagement.
Through BSR education every part of the multidisciplinary team had opportunities to learn, refresh and connect.
A strong and connected community
2025 also strengthened the networks and relationships that support learning, collaboration and shared identity.
- More than 2,000 delegates joined us in Manchester for the Annual Conference, creating three days of connection, ideas and inspiration.
- Case-based Conference in Cardiff offered focused clinical learning for consultants and early career rheumatologists.
- Patient partners played a larger role in shaping our work, ensuring lived experience continues to guide decisions.
- The Heberden Library was enriched with more than 280 new books to support education and historical research.
Looking ahead to 2026
Thank you for everything you have contributed this year. Your leadership, ideas and commitment have shaped progress across clinical practice, research, education and policy. We look forward to building on this momentum with you in 2026.