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<p>This information is not collected. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
(NICE) clinical guideline <em>Rheumatoid arthritis: The management of rheumatoid arthritis
in adults</em>, published in 2009, emphasises the need for early diagnosis, with urgent
referral to a specialist rheumatologist on suspicion of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).</p><p>
</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>NICE also published a quality standard on
RA in June 2013. Quality standards are concise sets of prioritised statements designed
to drive measurable quality improvements within a particular area of health or care.
The standard makes seven statements which are indicators of good care. This includes
a statement on referral that sets out that people with suspected RA are referred to
a rheumatology service within three working days of presentation. It also includes
a statement on assessment which recommends that people with suspected RA are assessed
in a rheumatology service within three weeks of referral.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>
</p><p>Ministers at the Department have had no recent discussions with NHS England
on improving the speed of diagnosis for people with inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p>
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