Easington MP Grahame Morris has pledges support for people with arthritis by becoming an Arthritis Champion.

Grahame Morris MP pledged his support for people with arthritis in the Easington constituency at an event hosted by charity Versus Arthritis in the Houses of Parliament.

Ahead of World Arthritis Day next month on 12th October, Grahame Morris MP has pledged his support to take arthritis seriously and commit to be an Arthritis Champion to help advocate for the issues facing the 1 in 6 people living with arthritis in East Durham.

At the event, Grahame Morris MP met people with arthritis and health professionals and learned what it’s like living with various arthritis conditions, and how debilitating they can be. Versus Arthritis staff and volunteers provided fresh knowledge and valuable perspectives on the huge impact arthritis has on people in East Durham, and how being an Arthritis Champion can help.

Over 10 million people in the UK live with the significant pain, fatigue, and disability arthritis can cause. On average, around 15,000 people live with arthritis in East Durham affecting their ability to work, look after family, or live well.

Cumulatively, the healthcare costs of arthritis will reach a massive £118.6 billion over the next decade. But for too long, arthritis has been dismissed and ignored. Together in Parliament with other Arthritis Champions, Grahame Morris MP will work to change that and call on the Government to improve the lives of people with arthritis.

Grahame Morris MP heard that there are now over one million cases are waiting for joint replacement surgery across the UK. These are extremely effective procedures that can relieve people from the pain that arthritis causes, and the sacrifices they are forced to make because of it, yet they have some of the longest waiting times in any treatment category.

Arthritis must not be dismissed by people in positions of power. By committing to be an

Arthritis Champion, Grahame Morris MP will help urge the Government to make arthritis a national priority.

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis said:

“For too long, arthritis has not been taken seriously. This can’t go on. People with arthritis cannot continue to live without the right support and care they need to live healthy and happy lives.

“It is crucial that Parliament recognises the impact that arthritis has and take action to improve the lives of people in their constituencies. We are very grateful to Grahame Morris MP for his support.”

“We need greater prioritisation of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in any long-term planning for the NHS, and for the UK Government to commit appropriate levels of funding to tackle NHS backlogs.”