14 January 2021


The National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) second annual report is now live. It presents information on the quality of care for people living with inflammatory arthritis from 8 May 2019 to 7 May 2020.


The key findings for each quality statement are:


  • QS1: 47% of people were referred from their GP within three working days (vs 41% in year 1)

  • QS2: 48% of people saw a rheumatologist within three weeks (vs 38% in year 1)

  • QS3: 64% of people started treatment within six weeks of referral (vs 54% in year 1)

  • QS4: 94% of people were offered timely access to education on self-management (vs 93% in year 1)

  • QS5: 89% of people had a treatment target set and agreed (vs 84% in year 1)

  • QS6: 92% of people were provided with access to rheumatology specialist advice (vs 92% in year 1)

  • QS7: 48% of people were reported to have received an annual review (vs 43% in year 1)


Read the full report


Data collection was non-mandatory from 27 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, data analysed predominantly reflects activity prior to the major impact of COVID-19.