By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 12:31 AM on 15th July 2009

Thousands of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers face a lifetime of agony because they are not being treated quickly enough, a report says.

Guidelines state that patients should receive treatment within three months of the first symptoms appearing.

But the average wait is nine months - and GPs are not trained well enough to know what help to offer. 

There is no cure, but experts say that if arthritis is diagnosed in the first three months, drugs can be given which limit its progression. This means the disease will not be as painful as it would have been if the condition was diagnosed later.

The study by the National Audit Office found that patients do not know enough about the condition, and therefore delay going to see their GP.

Between half and three-quarters of people with symptoms wait more than three months before seeking medical help, and about a fifth delay for a year or more.

GPs lack the specialist knowledge required to diagnose the condition quickly, and on average it takes four visits before a patient is referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment, the report adds.

'It also affects other parts of the body, such as the heart and lungs, and is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.'

The report found that the average length of time from the onset of symptoms to treatment has not improved in the past five years. Mr Groom said that services needed to be better coordinated and designed around people's needs, including helping them remain in work.

Three-quarters of sufferers are of working age when diagnosed, meaning delays cost the economy almost £2billion a year - about £560million a year in NHS healthcare costs and £1.8billion in sick leave and work-related disability.

'Once people fall out of the job market with this disease, it is very hard to get back in', Mr Groom said.

The report also found that 50 per cent more people have rheumatoid arthritis than was previously thought.

Mr Groom added: 'We estimate that 580,000 adults in England have the condition, which is higher than existing estimates of 400,000 for the UK, and that there are 26,000 new cases each year in England, compared to estimates of 12,000 for the UK.'

Neil Betteridge, chief executive of the charity Arthritis Care, said: 'The report echoes what people with rheumatoid arthritis have been telling Arthritis Care for years.

'Early diagnosis and referral for suitable treatment is crucial as it can stop this debilitating condition in its tracks.

'We applaud the audit's recommendations that the Department of Health and Primary Care Trusts replace their often scattergun delivery with joined-up services.'

Tory MP Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, said the NHS needed to improve support services for people with arthritis.

Health minister Ann Keen said: 'We welcome this report and will consider it carefully before responding.'

June 30, 2009 - BankMuscat announced an exciting summer “holiday” promotion prize draw at its second monthly media briefing yesterday. Now, two new additional banking products are ready for customers — an easy way to facilitate its customers who intend to travel for medical reasons, and an interest free holiday payment plan.

Customers all over Oman are currently using their BankMuscat cards to enter the bank’s summer promotion. By spending RO 10, they enter the draw for exciting holiday packages, with five winners raffled each week. Should customers utilise their cards for any purchase of RO 150 or more, they immediately enter the grand prize draw to win the holiday of their dreams. There are 5 grand prize holidays up for grabs, and any international transactions over RO 10 on the BankMuscat ATM/debit or credit cards increase one’s chances of winning.

The first of the Bank’s additional promotional offers is centred on its customers’ key needs. Recognising that many of its customers require assistance when traveling for medical needs, BankMuscat, in association with Zahara Holidays, offers world-class medical treatment packages in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India. Zahara Travels and Tours will arrange all requirements including travel and transport, accommodation and treatment, removing the heartache that is normally experienced, allowing people in need of care and treatment the enjoy peace of mind, leading to a speedy recovery.

Courtesy of GulfBase.com, full article may be found here http://www.gulfbase.com/site/interface/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?n=102261

Incredible India at 60 Contest from Dreamland Tours – PR.com
Dreamland Tours Inc. launches a promotional contest awarding two free round-trip air tickets to India as part of the ongoing celebrations and events for India at 60. New York, NY, October 11, 2007 –( PR.com )– India@60 was organized as a

When Anna Sherevenko, an angelic-looking blonde, blue-eyed, one-and-a-half-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, her physicians in St. Petersburg, Russia, recommended a bone marrow transplant. But the procedure is not widely available Read More

Despite the weak dollar, a growing number of Americans are traveling overseas for less expensive medical care. But there’s another way to become a so-called medical tourist, without a passport, luggage, or even leaving your house, notes the October Read More

Despite the weak dollar, a growing number of Americans are traveling overseas for less expensive medical care. But there’s another way to become a so-called medical tourist, without a passport, luggage, or even leaving your house, notes the October Read More

• Christus Health, based in Dallas, is putting its seventh Mexican hospital in Reynosa, across the border from McAllen, Texas. • Grupo Star Medica in September opened a 53-bed facility in Ciudad Juárez and plans others in Tijuana and Mexicali Read More

Born 14 weeks early, the only surviving baby of triplets, 4-month-old Riccardo Posarelli and his parents await the results of eye surgery that may save some of his waning vision. It could be months or even years before they know whether the surgery Read More

Now in its 16th year, ITCMA is one of the region’s most important meetings and incentive travel exhibition attended by delegates from more than 40 countries. Conceived primarily to promote the Asia-Pacific region as a MICE Meetings, IncentivesRead More

The easy access to visa facilities often permitted by India to overseas patients, coupled with the best emerging medical infrastructure facilities in its large and tertiary towns, means the prospects of India Medical Tourism becoming a lead foreign Read More

Bilateral Knee Replacement in India: WorldMed Assist Saves Montana … – Live-PR.com (Pressemitteilung)

Bilateral Knee Replacement in India: WorldMed Assist Saves Montana …
Live-PR.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Sep 16, 2008

16.09.2008 12:29:14 Experts in medical tourism, WorldMed Assist's mission is to improve lives by helping patients receive high quality medical treatment …

The risks of being a medical “tourist” – Inside Collin County Business

The risks of being a medical “tourist”
Inside Collin County Business, TX - Sep 9, 2008

Sun, sea and surgery – Emirates Business 24/7

Emirates Business 24/7 Sun, sea and surgery
Emirates Business 24/7, United Arab Emirates - Sep 19, 2008

… with cardiovascular and orthopaedic surgeries as the most common procedures, in line with most medical touristdestinations," Hassett said. …

Sai Medical Group is promoting Indian healthcare on a global scale … – India PRwire (press release)

Sai Medical Group is promoting Indian healthcare on a global scale …
India PRwire (press release), India - Sep 4, 2008

With the continuous effort of various healthcare facilitators, we hope to put India on the global map as one of the best medical tourist destinations. …

Solbec set to acquire Asian health firm – WA Business News (subscription)

Solbec set to acquire Asian health firm
WA Business News (subscription), Australia - Sep 8, 2008

… and is expanding into retinal disease markets serving Malaysia, neighbouring countries and the highly attractive destination medical tourist segment. …

10 Ways Outsourcing Can Help Grow Your Business
3×24 – Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 21, 2008

You won’t have spend money on employee costs like taxes,medical, vacation time, holidays, workers comp., unemployment costs, etc. (These may vary depending …

Read More…

At the Library
The Post-Standard – Syracuse.com, NY - Aug 30, 2008

This book provides detailed information on funding and planning medical care overseas, as well as information on quality and accreditation of health-care …

Read More…

Australia seeks to cash in on medical tourism
Treatment Abroad – Medical Tourism News, UK - Aug 22, 2008

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has established an industry panel to help develop the nation's health and wellness travel sector, …

Read More…

Cost effective, better quality treatment and co-coordinated government and private sector efforts has made Thailand a preferred destination for medical treatment. But the country needs to resolve challenges like violence in far south for further Read More

• Christus Health, based in Dallas, is putting its seventh Mexican hospital in Reynosa, across the border from McAllen, Texas. • Grupo Star Medica in September opened a 53-bed facility in Ciudad Juárez and plans others in Tijuana and Mexicali Read More

Former Assistant United States Trade Representative for South Asia. In recent weeks, Thailand has been feuding with government and industry officials in the United States. The good news is that some simple steps can be taken to reduce the tensions Read More

The Philippines could tap a gold mine in the next frontier in tourism—medical services. Medical tourism could actually be more lucrative than ordinary travel for leisure tourism. The fees are high, the clients are predisposed to spend oodles of Read More

Nearly 100 Canadian and Caribbean government, healthcare and business leaders met this week to discuss how Caribbean medical tourism can be developed to serve North Americans’ healthcare and vacation needs. Held in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Read More