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Arthritis

Volume 501: debated on Tuesday 24 November 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts (a) provided information on inflammatory arthritis to GPs in the last 12 months and (b) plan to provide such information in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. (301115)

Information on how many primary care trusts provide information on rheumatoid arthritis to general practitioners (GPs) is not recorded centrally.

Information on inflammatory arthritis is available to health professionals, including GPs, through national health service evidence and Map of Medicine.

The Department has also published a good practice commissioning pathway for inflammatory arthritis which supports clinicians in identifying cases of rheumatoid arthritis and ensuring that they are set on the right pathway of care. This describes key symptoms, for example where patients should be referred for urgent treatment.