On Monday, Stephen attended a drop-in event run by Versus Arthritis in the Houses of Parliament. Stephen spoke to people with arthritis and NHS professionals about the debilitating condition.
Arthritis affects over 10 million people in the UK and Versus Arthritis estimates that it will cost the NHS £118 billion over the next decade. The pain from arthritis can take away people’s ability to work, care for family, and live independently.
Versus Arthritis ran the drop-in event to launch its latest report: the State of Musculoskeletal Health. The report reveals that arthritis is a leading cause of sickness absence in the UK with many people stuck on waiting lists for joint replacement surgery.
“I am grateful that Versus Arthritis put on this drop-in,” Stephen said, “it is important that MPs hear about people’s experiences of arthritis. We must do more to bring down waiting lists and support people suffering this painful condition.”
