27 April 2026
The Scottish Report: Improving Care for People Living with Inflammatory Conditions
People living with immune mediated inflammatory diseases like [insert condition here] in Scotland are facing delays in diagnosis, unequal access to care and limited support to help them manage lifelong conditions.
The Scottish Report, led by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) in collaboration with Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Lupus UK, the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society and the Psoriasis Association, brings together the lived experiences of more than 1250 people across Scotland living with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus and psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The report highlights where the system is falling short — and what needs to change so people can live better lives.
Key statistics at a glance
- 55% needed three or more GP visits before referral to a specialist
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- 1 in 4 people were seen outside NHS Scotland’s 18‑week referral‑to‑treatment standard
- Less than 1 in 3 were seen within six weeks — the recommended timeframe for many inflammatory conditions
- 73% said their condition significantly affects their quality of life
- 53% said their condition regularly limits everyday activities
- 45% were not referred to a patient organisation at diagnosis
- Only 25% of people diagnosed in the last five years feel confident self‑managing their condition
- 68% of people want access to further education and supported self-management resources
- 82% of people do not undertake any type of self-monitoring of their symptoms or condition.
What the report tells us
Delays to diagnosis and treatment
Early diagnosis is critical for inflammatory autoimmune conditions — it can prevent irreversible damage, reduce disability and improve long‑term outcomes. Yet the report shows many people are not accessing support for many months after their symptoms have started, having multiple GP appointments before referrals and delays in getting to secondary care.
Unequal access to care
Many people report having reduced access to multidisciplinary teams such as specialist nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. People living in rural and island communities face additional challenges, including long travel times, fewer appointments and limited access to specialist services.
The impact on daily life
Inflammatory conditions affect far more than physical health. Many respondents reported ongoing pain, fatigue, mental health challenges and difficulty working. 2 in 3 report living with multiple long term conditions.
Missed opportunities for support
Patient organisations like the Psoriasis Association provide trusted information, education, helpline support and self‑management resources — yet referrals are inconsistent. Without early signposting, many people are left feeling isolated and unsure how to manage their condition.
Why the Psoriasis Association believes this must change
We believe people with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and other IMID conditions deserve:
As a patient‑led charity, we are committed to working alongside the NHS, the Scottish Government and partner organisations to turn these findings into meaningful improvements in care in Scotland.
- Greater public awareness of these conditions and their symptoms
- Earlier diagnosis and faster access to specialist care
- Better joined‑up services across primary and secondary care
- Fair access to care, no matter where someone lives
- Support to build confidence in self‑management
- Routine referral to patient organisations at diagnosis
The full report includes detailed findings, personal stories and clear recommendations for change.