15/10/2026
Thanks for your support John
💙 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲
Today, on World Arthritis Day, I was pleased to sign the Arthritis UK pledge, showing my support for their three key manifesto priorities.
Across Northern Ireland, around 550,000 people are living with arthritis or another musculoskeletal condition. For many, this means daily pain, reduced mobility and a significant impact on their quality of life, mental health and ability to work.
It is very concerning that some people are waiting years for specialist appointments and treatment, often while living with chronic pain.
𝐁𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✅ 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲.
✅ 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬.
✅ 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.
Arthritis is not just a condition affecting older people. It can affect people of all ages, including children and young people, and its impact on individuals and families should never be underestimated.
No one should have to wait years for the care and treatment they need while living in pain.
We must do better to ensure people living with arthritis are heard, supported and able to access timely care and I know the Health Minister is working tirelessly to deliver this.
I am pleased to add my support to this important campaign and help raise awareness of the need for meaningful action.
