Excellence in Healthcare Collaboration and Partnerships

Summary of work

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incurable, painful and debilitating autoimmune disease affecting up to 690,000 people in the UK. There is no cure and sustained remission is the hoped-for goal of effective disease management. Long-term joint damage can occur in people with RA even if they are not experiencing symptoms, potentially leading to disability and joint replacement surgery. In 2012, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), in collaboration with Roche and Chugai, launched a multifaceted initiative to equip patients and HCPs across the UK with the tools to increase awareness and improve disease management of this life-changing condition. Our ultimate goal was to establish the Disease Activity Score (DAS) and treating to remission as standard practice in the UK. Three years later DAS is recognized for its role in informing treatment decisions and optimising disease management. More than 20,000 patient materials and 5,000 HCP guides have been distributed and over 30,000 people have visited the website. A further 250 people have signed up to the Remission Mission photo wall helping us to put DAS and remission firmly on the map.

Judges comments

Through high levels of stakeholder involvement, this visually engaging campaign ensured that an important issue was addressed. A patient-led programme, it produced strong metrics and, more importantly, enabled the patient voice to breakthrough and be heard.