26 October 2022
President of BSR, Sanjeev Patel told members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Axial spondyloarthritis that rheumatology teams across the UK need more consultants, specialist nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and allied health professionals.
In the same week that BSR published new figures showing that 32% of patients with axial spondyloarthritis had symptoms for over 5 years before assessment, Sanjeev told MPs that increased pressures on primary care were impacting timely diagnosis of the condition.
On behalf of BSR members, Sanjeev further shared his perspective on the challenges facing rheumatology, including the workforce crisis and the lack of capacity within the NHS to operationalise changes recommended by national programmes such as Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) and NHS England’s BestMSK. Dr Patel also highlighted BSR’s current parliamentary campaign on homecare medicines services, the future of the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit and Quality Review Scheme.
APPGs are groups of parliamentarians with a shared interest in a particular topic, who work across political lines to build a political consensus and awareness. Chaired by Conservative MP for Gedling, Tom Randall, the APPG has covered topics on mental health, access to physiotherapy, and diagnosis.
Other speakers included Dr Leslie Kay, Consultant and Clinical Lead for GIRFT who was speaking (in a personal capacity) on recent axial spondyloarthritis policy developments, and the national BestMSK programme; Joe Eddison, Programme Manager for the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS), updated on the progress of their Act on Axial SpA programme; and Dr Toby Wallace, a GP with a Special Interest in Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine, reflected on the current state of MSK within primary care.
After the APPG, Sanjeev said:
"I was delighted to be invited to speak to members of the APPG. It’s done an excellent job of putting a spotlight on the fundamental issues affecting the timely diagnosis and care of people with axial spondyloarthritis. I am pleased to have been able to contribute the perspective of BSR on the challenges facing rheumatology services, and what we see as the solutions to the workforce crisis.”
For a more detailed write-up of the event please visit the APPG on the AxSpa website.
To read more about our Vice President, Yeliz Prior’s contribution to the previous APPG meeting please visit our policy pages.