Child health – juvenile idiopathic arthritis (NCEPOD)
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), which is part of the Child Health Clinical Outcome Review Programme, has published Joint Care?, a report on the care received by children and young people who are diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
“An early diagnosis will help in getting equipment and medication in place at an early stage to make their lives easier and less painful”
Based on data between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2023, this report states that young people with JIA present to a range of healthcare providers and fewer than half are currently seen by a rheumatologist within the recommended ten weeks. It therefore says that training is essential to ensure that the symptoms are recognised and there should be processes in place for rapid direct referral to paediatric rheumatology services. It also highlights some excellent practice, which all providers should consider, such as evening appointments, combined rheumatology and ophthalmology clinics, and combined paediatric and adult clinics for young people as they approach the age of 18.
Further recommendations, which form a toolkit that providers can select from to improve services, include:
- Raise awareness of JIA and its symptoms with those who might see patients
- Streamline the local referral pathway, with clear timelines for patients with suspected JIA
- Provide prompt training to patients, parents and carers on how to inject medications for JIA
- Ensure ongoing access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pain and psychology services
- Provide a holistic, developmentally appropriate rheumatology service for patients with JIA.
Read the full report: You can see all key findings and read the report in full by clicking on the link below.
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More information: For further information, go to the programme page on this website.
