Time to give all patients with RA the ‘Right Start’ 21 April 2026 The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is encouraging healthcare professionals across the UK to refer patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to its Right Start programme, a free support service designed to help people understand and manage their condition from the earliest stages to those who have lived with RA for a longer time. NRAS launched their Right Start Service Evaluation Report at BSR 2026 which documents the outcome of the Service Evaluation which was conducted by University of Manchester. The key findings of the anonymised data are as follows: Key Findings The evaluation found meaningful improvements across several domains that are central to the aims of the Right Start service. Clinicians reported: The service met expectations They were reassured that patients were receiving high-quality education The referral process did not increase clinical workload A reduced workload where referral rates were good Feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive Patients reported: Improved education and understanding of rheumatoid arthritis Increased confidence in self-management and coping Improved sleep with a reduction in fatigue Increased participation in social activities A reduction in perceived illness impact Recommendation: to embed Right Start within care pathways Although follow‑up numbers were small (N ≈ 25), the pattern of statistically significant changes supports the acceptability and effectiveness of embedding enhanced Right Start within care pathways for newly diagnosed RA. You can download a copy of the full report here. NRAS will host a dedicated webinar on 25 June, led by NRAS Healthcare Engagement Manager, Sarah Parsons, to guide clinicians through the referral process and highlight the benefits patients receive. Attendees will also be entered into a prize draw for a luxury hamper. The Right Start service connects individuals with trained NRAS staff who provide personalised, evidence-based information about RA, medication, lifestyle adjustments and navigating NHS services. Patients can also opt to speak with a peer who is living with RA, offering an additional layer of emotional and practical support. Feedback has shown that patients referred to the programme typically report feeling more informed, less isolated and better equipped to manage their condition day-to-day. The referral process is intentionally simple: clinicians submit a short form, NRAS schedules a call with the patient, and a tailored information pack is sent out after the conversation. Early, structured support can significantly improve a patient’s confidence and long-term self-management. NRAS continues to work closely with the NHS to ensure people with RA receive consistent, high-quality support beyond clinical appointments. Healthcare professionals can also access additional resources, bulk order publications and sign up for free professional membership through the NRAS website. Click the button below to refer a patient and sign up to the webinar, today. Learn more