17 September 2025
We’re proud to showcase the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA), the only national programme providing a clear, independent view of how rheumatology services across England and Wales are delivering care for people with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA).
Dr Liz Price, NEIAA Clinical Lead, explains:
“This is currently the only national oversight we have of compliance with quality standards in rheumatology. We know that timely review and early initiation of disease modifying drugs improves outcomes and reduces disability in rheumatoid arthritis, so it is vital we ensure that patients have rapid and equitable access to rheumatology services early in their disease course.”
To support this mission, the NEIAA dashboard brings near real-time insights into key metrics such as referral patterns, remission rates, and waiting times. Far more than just numbers, this dynamic tool empowers clinicians, policymakers, and patient organisations to track progress, pinpoint challenges, and tackle variation directly, ensuring that no community is left behind.
Professor James Galloway highlights why this matters:
“NEIAA gives us high-quality data on how rheumatology care is delivered across the NHS. Variation is inevitable in a service this vast, but the audit shows where support is needed, where patients are missing out, and where outcomes can improve. As the largest audit of its kind worldwide, it highlights not only regional differences but also how factors such as ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status influence outcomes like treatment response and work participation.”
With the seventh annual report launching in October 2025, Dr Liz Price offers practical advice for clinicians looking to make the most of NEIAA data:
- Explore the latest NEIAA findings to understand the current landscape.
- Access the live dashboard to compare your local service against regional and national benchmarks.
- Review key resources, such as the NASS Playbook, to guide improvement.
- Prioritise accurate data entry (including patient emails) so that PROMs questionnaires can be sent.
NEIAA is more than an audit. It is a collective effort to raise standards and transform lives. By engaging with the data and applying its insights, clinicians can directly influence better care and better outcomes for people living with inflammatory arthritis.
Your continued involvement is what drives this change. Together, we can ensure that every patient, in every region, gets the timely, effective, and equitable care they deserve.