More than Skin Deep: New report on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis published

The report provides a set of key recommendations for improving psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis services.

A new report 'More than Skin Deep: The Underlying Burdens of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis' has been published, setting out the challenges currently faced by people living with these chronic, interlinked conditions, and providing a number of key recommendations for improving services.

The report, aimed at policymakers, healthcare professionals and NHS commissioners, has been informed by the input of an Expert Working Group, including leading clinicians from dermatology and rheumatology, as well as representatives from the Psoriasis Association and Versus Arthritis.

The foreword has been provided by Sir Paul Beresford MP, Member of Parliament for Mole Valley and former Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Skin (APPGS).

The key recommendations (which can be found on pages 7 and 8 of the report) focus on the following areas:

• Prioritising psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as interlinked conditions
• Optimising service planning
• Empowering people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Supporting the workforce
• Recognising the wider impacts of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis


In addition to these key recommendations, the report also sets out updated estimates of how many people are likely living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis across new NHS commissioning geographies and Parliamentary constituencies in the UK, to help inform local service planning and delivery.

You can view and download the full report here.

Sir Paul Beresford MP, comments: "We are currently at a crossroads in the future of psoriasis and PsA care in this country – it is beholden upon us to rethink our approach and embrace the recommendations that will help to transform the lives of all those affected by these interlinked conditions."

Helen McAteer, Chief Executive of the Psoriasis Association comments: "The Psoriasis Association welcomes the publication of this report, which highlights the under-recognised impact of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the need to improve outcomes for people living with these interlinked conditions. We now urge Parliamentarians, policymakers and healthcare professionals to implement the key recommendations in order to improve the time to diagnosis and access to effective care for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."


This report was initiated and funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd. Wilmington Healthcare was commissioned by Novartis to develop this report, which has been informed by input from experts working in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, including leading clinicians and patient charities. Novartis UK has reviewed the report for medical accuracy. The development of the report has been supported by M&F Health.