The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) is delighted to have published two new reports during 2010 that will be used in our campaigning efforts to raise awareness of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the needs of people with AS. They are:
Looking Ahead: Best practice for the care of people with ankylosing spondylitis
This report highlights the problems that people with AS face in accessing the treatment and services they need and the varying standards of care for them that exist in the UK. It offers reasons why this may be the case and offers a set of recommendations to improve the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management for people with AS. Early diagnosis of AS continues to be a major challenge and the report has particularly important recommendations in this area. Download your copy of Looking Ahead here or order copies from the NASS office.
NASS is grateful to the contributors to Looking Ahead (see page 4) for giving their time and expertise to produce this report.
Working with Ankylosing Spondylitis Survey Report
Work and work related issues have long been a concern for many people with AS. The survey results found that more than half of those living with severe AS identified work as the area of their lives most affected by their condition yet only one third had received useful advice from their healthcare professional or employer on coping with their condition at work. The results of the survey also found that effective treatment makes the difference to staying in work and worrying less about workplace issues. This report not only identifies the issues but provides a call to action for Government, GPs, rheumatologists, employers and people with AS to adopt a set of recommendations to improve the lives of those living with AS. Read the full Working with Ankylosing Spondylitis Survey Report here.