Arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect 1.7 million people in Scotland – around one in three of us.
Yet despite the enormous impact these conditions have on people’s health, independence and ability to work, Scotland has no dedicated national strategy for MSK health. That needs to change.
Arthritis UK is calling on First Minister John Swinney to deliver Scotland’s first-ever MSK Action Plan, providing the national leadership needed to improve diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and support.
Behind the statistics are people living every day with pain, fatigue and disability – some waiting years for a diagnosis or treatment that could transform their lives.
Our “Don’t Turn Your Back on Arthritis” campaign gives those people, their families, and supporters the opportunity to make their voices heard.
We are urging people across Scotland to send a simple message to the First Minister: arthritis affects too many people to remain an afterthought.
It is time to face arthritis head-on and give MSK health the priority it deserves.
New campaign calls for Scotland’s first-ever MSK Action Plan
People living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions across Scotland are being urged to add their voice to a major campaign calling on First Minister John Swinney to deliver Scotland’s first-ever MSK Action Plan.
Arthritis UK has launched an open letter to the First Minister demanding that arthritis is recognised as a national health priority and that the Scottish Government commits to a dedicated plan to improve diagnosis, treatment and support.
Across Scotland, 1.7 million people – around one in three of the population – live with an MSK condition such as arthritis, with many experiencing daily pain, fatigue and disability.
Despite the enormous scale of the issue, arthritis remains one of the only major health conditions without a dedicated strategy in Scotland.
Under the banner “Don’t Turn Your Back on Arthritis”, the campaign is urging people affected by arthritis and other MSK conditions, their families and supporters to sign the open letter and send a clear message to the First Minister that action is needed.
The proposed MSK Action Plan would seek to ensure people receive the right diagnosis and support sooner; improve access to rehabilitation and supported self-management; help people remain active and independent; and provide stronger national leadership and investment in MSK health.
Lauren Bennie, Head of Arthritis UK in Scotland, said:“Arthritis affects an extraordinary number of people in Scotland, yet for far too long it has failed to receive the attention it deserves.
“Behind the figure of 1.7 million people are individuals living every day with pain, fatigue and disability – often waiting too long for a diagnosis, treatment or the support they need to live independently. That has to change.
“We are calling on the First Minister to face the facts about arthritis and commit to Scotland’s first-ever MSK Action Plan.
“But we need the voices of people living with these conditions to be heard. We are urging everyone affected by arthritis or an MSK condition – along with their families and friends – to sign our open letter and tell the First Minister: don’t turn your back on arthritis.
“With the right leadership and a dedicated national plan, Scotland has an opportunity to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.”
The campaign will run throughout the autumn, with Arthritis UK also working to secure what would be the first dedicated debate on arthritis in the Scottish Parliament. Campaigners will take the open letter to Holyrood on the day of the debate.
Among those supporting the campaign are people with first-hand experience of the impact of arthritis, including Amy from Dundee, who was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis as a teenager; Bobby from near Stranraer, who waited more than two years simply to be placed on the waiting list for a knee replacement; Mairi from Islay, who faced years of delays in accessing treatment; and Ken from Stirling, who waited almost 20 years for an osteoarthritis diagnosis.
People can add their name to the open letter and call on the First Minister to face arthritis head on at:
Diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis as a teenager, Amy from Dundee, Scotland, was silently struggling in constant pain at school and had to fight to get the support she needed.
Now training to be a doctor, she faces long working hours and is worried about how she will cope with managing her condition at work.
“I’m finishing university this year and about to enter the workforce. I’m excited about becoming a doctor, but I am concerned about how I’ll manage my fatigue. Junior doctors work long hours with few rest breaks, and that makes me nervous. I’m concerned I won’t specialise as quickly as my peers. However, I hope by telling my story I can change things for other young people with arthritis. It’s not all bad news, and we can thrive with the right support.”
Bobby’sstory, Stranraer
Bobby, from Stranraer, was diagnosed in 2020 with osteoarthritis in both knees. Living in immense pain, the wait began, and it was more than two years before Bobby was even added to the waiting list for surgery.
He had his first knee replaced in November 2023, followed by his second the following August.
Surgery was life-changing. His mobility returned and he now plays walking football several times a week. Today, he encourages others living with arthritis pain, or waiting for surgery, to reach out to others. Bobby also hopes to raise awareness of walking football, so that more people can benefit from the physical and mental benefits it offers.
“Yes, it was painful in the knees, but also painful in the head. It played havoc with my thoughts, my mind, my life. The mental impact is phenomenal. You feel like you’re a burden when you can’t do things. You try to keep going through the pain.
“When I see some of the people out there waiting, I encourage them to push for it because it’s life-changing. You wake up from surgery and the pain is gone. I was a totally different person. Honestly, I didn’t know how much my osteoarthritis had impacted me until I had my knees replaced. Before, I had to go up chimneys for work, and I was really restricted on how much I could climb a ladder. I’ve worked every day since I left school. And I felt like I couldn’t give it 100% because the knee pain had hit me so hard. But now I can go up and down ladders again easily!”
Kathy’sstory, Helensburgh
Kathy suffered pain from childhood and was finally diagnosed with osteoarthritis at 50, although she had been living with pain since she was 13 years old.
For so many years, Kathy was looking for an explanation for the pain she was experiencing. She watched it take over her life without having any answers, in constant severe pain, not sleeping and suffering depression. She felt she was ‘existing’, not living.
At 47, when the pain was at its worst and had spread to her knees and back, Kathy went to see a new doctor who was determined to get to the bottom of her pain. After tests and X-rays, it was found that she was living with arthritis in her spine and hips. Finally getting a diagnosis was a huge relief to Kathy.
“Life before diagnosis was a nightmare. I didn’t sleep because the pain was so bad and, at one point, I was on both morphine and fentanyl patches, harsh medication. The pain affected my mental health so badly that I was diagnosed with severe depression, which was compounded by grief after losing my husband 11 years ago.
I closed myself away. I didn’t know how to deal with the pain, and nobody was helping me.
“That doctor knew what I needed, got tests done and referred me to a community link worker who took me to an Arthritis UK group three years ago, and my whole life changed. It really brought me out of my shell because I’d gotten to the point where I just locked myself away. I remember that first week at a group feeling like I didn’t dare talk, scared I’d burst into tears.
“It is disappointing that the diagnosis took so long because my life could have been different so many years ago. I could have spared a lifetime of pain. I’ve also missed out on so many things; I loved badminton but had to give it up at 14 because it affected my back so badly, and I’ve never been able to play since.”
The latest Public Health Scotland figures on waiting times for musculoskeletal (MSK) services should be a cause for concern.
Between August 2025 and March 2026, only 52.4 per cent of patients were seen within the Scottish Government’s four-week waiting time target. Meanwhile, the number of people waiting for care increased to 75,128 by the end of March 2026.
Behind these figures are people living with arthritis and other MSK conditions who are experiencing pain, reduced mobility and uncertainty while waiting for support. MSK conditions affect around 1.7 million people in Scotland and are the leading cause of pain and disability. Timely access to services such as physiotherapy is often critical to helping people manage their condition and maintain their quality of life.
Arthritis UK is calling for a national MSK Action Plan to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and support. We are also urging the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Care and Sport Committee to undertake a dedicated inquiry into musculoskeletal health, an area that has never been the subject of a parliamentary inquiry despite its significant impact on individuals and the health service.
These latest figures highlight the need for urgent action to improve outcomes for people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions across Scotland. People living with this cannot afford to wait any longer.
Alan McGinley
Policy and Engagement Manager (Scotland) Arthritis UK
Arthritis UK Scotland is calling on each political party to have a credible plan to improve the lives of people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like arthritis, as the countdown to the Holyrood elections starts.
The charity is calling for a better deal for the 1.7m people in Scotland living with arthritis and other MSK conditions, including 48,000 children and young people, in its manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Elections, published today Scottish Parliament Election 2026 | Arthritis UK
This is because there is currently no plan that considers the needs of this group, which totals one in three people in Scotland, living with the pain, fatigue, disability and the mental and financial strain these conditions cause.
In Scotland, one in three people with arthritis/MSK conditions say their condition severely or very severely impacts their life. And one in three people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on the first day of the new Scottish parliament will have been forced out of work due to their condition, by the end of that same parliament, reports Arthritis UK Scotland’s manifesto.
The document sets out the steps the next Scottish government must take to tackle the impact of these conditions, currently causing unnecessary chronic pain and disability. It calls for:
· A relentless focus on tackling orthopaedic waiting times. Parts of Scotland continue to lose out and overall, demand continues to grow. A national plan that sets out how targets will be met must be created.
· Access to surgery to be based on need and adheres to guidance, not applying body mass index policies as eligibility criteria.
Bobby from Stranraer was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2020, but it was more than two years before Bobby was even added to the waiting list for surgery. He said:‘I’d been suffering with a great deal of pain in both knees for some time. It was like someone was hitting my knees with a mash hammer.
“It played havoc with my thoughts, my mind, my life. The mental impact was phenomenal. You feel like you’re a burden when you can’t do things. You try to keep going through the pain.’
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said:‘The next Scottish parliament must tackle orthopaedic waiting times, improve services and deliver a long-term plan for better musculoskeletal health.
‘These are urgent priorities. People with arthritis in Scotland are being let down. They can wait years for diagnosis, struggle to access treatment and face barriers to work and independence. They are twenty percent less likely to be in work than people without arthritis, and people in the poorest communities are hit hardest. It is a public health issue, an equality and workforce challenge.’
Alan McGinley, Policy and Engagement Manager for Scotland, Arthritis UK, said:‘None of the political parties in Scotland have a credible plan on how to tackle musculoskeletal conditions, yet one in three people in Scotland living with them.
“Of these people, sixty-two percent say they live in pain most or all the time due to their arthritis. This means the needs of this group are not being addressed and that just isn’t good enough.’
A recent survey commissioned by Arthritis UK and carried out by YouGov, surveyed nearly 8,000 people with arthritis in the UK. Of these, over 1,000 were from Scotland.
The results showed:
· Over sixty percent (62) are living in pain most of the time due to their arthritis
· Nearly forty percent (37) felt their condition was not well managed
· Forty five percent said their ability to exercise was affected severely or very severely by their symptoms
· Nearly seventy (69) percent said waiting for treatment had an impact on their mental health
· Nearly fifty percent (49) said their symptoms were not taken seriously by healthcare professionals
· Fifty-six percent said arthritis had impacted on their working lives.
Endowed Chair of Rheumatology retires from University of Edinburgh
Professor Stuart Ralston retired from his position as Arthritis UK’s Endowed Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Edinburgh and a Festschrift event was held in his honour (January 29).
Professor Ralston has had a decorated career in rheumatology, including holding the position as Arthritis UK’s Endowed Chair for over 20 years. His research focused on the management of bone and joint disease, with a special interest in Paget’s disease.
Professor Ralston’s research has benefitted patients and influenced policy. His medical education contributions have benefitted students globally and his contribution to medicines regulation has saved many lives, notably through his oversight of emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines as chair of the Commission on Human Medicines.
He was recently (December 2025) duly recognised for these contributions by being awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh Sir James Black Medal.
Professor Ralston said: “A highlight of my career has been the work in Paget’s disease of the bone, looking at the genetic basis of the condition and doing clinical trials to establish optimal treatment strategies.
“I’ve also enjoyed bringing in new people and seeing them make their own way over the years. It’s been a privilege. I have been lucky to reach the top of my profession.
“While I will be sad to leave, I have still got some outstanding projects to finish off during my retirement and am looking forward to having more time to spend with my family and friends.”
To commemorate his achievements Professor Ralston attended a Festschrift event, where his closest colleagues and collaborators gathered to share warm remarks and celebrate his contributions to the field.
Arthritis UK’s Head of Research Strategy, Sarah Rudkin, attended the event and said: “Professor Ralston has led the field on the molecular and genetic basis of osteoporosis and Paget’s disease for the benefit of people living with these conditions.
“We greatly value his long-standing relationship with Arthritis UK and the varied contributions that he has made to the work of the charity. It’s been a privilege to support him throughout his professional endeavours, and we wish him a joyful retirement.”
Professor Cosimo de Bari, specialist in osteoarthritis and stem cell therapies, has been appointed the new Arthritis UK Endowed Chair of Rheumatology.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Arthritis UK Chief Executive, said: “The position of Endowed Chair at Edinburgh was established to create a nucleus for rheumatology research.
“Professor Ralston’s work has been a testament to our joint commitment to expanding knowledge, improving practice and bettering the lives of those who live who live with these often-debilitating conditions.
“It has been an honour to endorse his successes from his pivotal research developments and clinical trials to his PhD mentorships. He has truly been instrumental in defining the contemporary landscape of rheumatology.
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Cosimo de Bari to this prestigious position and are eager to support him as we journey together towards a cure.”
Professor David Argyle, Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, said: “Established nearly 50 years ago, the Endowed Chair recognises the University’s long-standing excellence in the field of rheumatology.
“Professor Ralston has been central to this endeavour, advancing research to improve patient outcomes worldwide.
“As we celebrate his achievements and bid him a congratulatory farewell, we are equally thrilled to welcome Professor Cosimo de Bari to the position, and look forward to continuing our valued partnership with Arthritis UK to champion innovative research.”
One in two people with arthritis said their condition impacted their ability to work. Of these, four in ten people have stopped work due to their arthritis
Millions of people with arthritis are not receiving timely diagnoses or adequate treatment and left to face avoidable pain and often unable to work, according to a report by the charity Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis).
Arthritis affects one in three people across Scotland and is a leading cause of disability, yet the condition remains largely misunderstood and many with the condition are not receiving the care and support they urgently need.
As a result, people with arthritis are living with levels of pain, fatigue, mental health challenges and financial strain, according to the report that publishes today.
Arthritis UK, which was previously known as Versus Arthritis, has worked with YouGov to survey almost 8,000* people representative of the population affected by this condition, of which 1,021 are from Scotland.
It has revealed that of the people surveyed in Scotland, more thanone in two (56%) said that arthritis had impacted their ability to work. Of these, four in ten people (40%) have stopped work due to their arthritis and over a third of retired people (38%) said arthritis played a part in their decision to retire.
Left Waiting, Left Behind: The Reality of Living with Arthritis presents the reality of living with the condition through lived experiences and personal stories, and also shows that the impact of arthritis is unequal with people from lower social grades reporting worse experiences from all areas of life.
It concludes that people with arthritis face widespread challenges in accessing effective treatment and support, long delays to secure a diagnosis and lack of treatment options once a diagnosis is made.
More investment, improved services and better training for frontline healthcare professionals are urgently needed to avoid further adversely impacting the lives, relationships and work opportunities of this large group.
Lauren Bennie, Arthritis UK’s Head of Scotland, said: “More than 1,000 Scots have bravely shared their experiences of living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Scotland with Arthritis UK. As the leading charity for people with arthritis, we know the reality facing our nation’s workforce.
“Far too many people in Scotland are being pushed out of work because of arthritis.
“This includes one in three people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on day one of the Scottish Parliament who will have left the workplace by the end of that same Parliament. What kind of legacy is that for any party in government?
“This is a public health issue that demands urgent action. As the Scottish Government selects which health conditions will receive dedicated action plans within the upcoming Long Term Conditions Framework, Ministers and civil servants alike, must recognise arthritis as a major public health challenge and act now to prevent further avoidable harm.
“With a dedicated action plan, we can ensure every Scot has the right to live the life they choose in a future Scotland free from arthritis.”
The report’s other key findings include:
one in three people (33%) surveyed say arthritis severely or very severely impacted their life in the past year.
six in ten people (62%) are living in pain most or all the time due to their arthritis.
Nearly four in ten people (37%) surveyed felt their condition was not well managed.
nearly one in two people (49%) felt their symptoms were not taken seriously or were underplayed by a frontline healthcare professional when they were trying to identify their arthritis.
nearly one in two people (45%) reported their ability to exercise was affected severely or very severely by their arthritis symptoms – even though being active can be important in preventing other long-term conditions.
Nearly 7 in 10 people (69%) said that waiting for treatment had an impact on their mental health
People in lower social grades, younger adults and those with autoimmune inflammatory conditions are disproportionately impacted by arthritis, facing greater challenges across all areas of life and more frequent barriers, the report identifies.
Across the UK, the survey found of those who reported arthritis having an impact on their ability to work 28% of those in higher social grades reported stopping work due to arthritis compared to nearly half (49%) of respondents from lower social grades.
People with arthritis are being financially squeezed as the condition can increase the personal cost of living, while impacting the ability to earn. Arthritis affects every aspect of life, from physical health to relationships and mental health, with barriers to effective care are preventing people from living the lives they want to lead, the report concludes.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said: “Too many of the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis are being left unsupported and left to face daily pain, without timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.
“This erodes their quality of life and damages the prospect of economic growth. This report shows us that huge numbers of people with arthritis are falling out of work and risk being pushed into poverty. The further tragedy is that much of this is avoidable.
“Arthritis is grossly misunderstood, with diagnoses too often delayed or absent. We must tackle the misconception that arthritis is an inevitable part of ageing and improve the diagnosis rates and the treatment available, especially as the number of people with arthritis increases*. We are sitting on a ticking timebomb of costs that the country will struggle with if it is not properly identified as a major risk to public health.”
One of the many reasons arthritis must be considered a major risk to public health is it is a gateway condition, increasing the risk of other serious diseases like cardiovascular disease and depression. We cannot afford to miss or mistreat arthritis as it can be a warning sign that patients could accumulate other conditions, and with more rapid progression, Ms Alsina added.
Arthritis UK has called for improved training for frontline healthcare professionals to enable more timely diagnosis and to improve support for people with arthritis. Children and young people all too frequently experience delays in diagnosis, in particular.
It has also concluded government must prioritise arthritis and muscular skeletal conditions. To this end it would like to see the Scottish Government create a dedicated action plan for arthritis within the Long Term Conditions Framework, which is currently being reviewed, alongside multi-year investment in orthopaedic surgery to reduce waiting times.
Arthritis UK was previously known as Versus Arthritis and has changed its name and look (Tuesday 14 October) following consultation with people with the condition.
This research showed that the new name would improve visibility and ensure more people are aware of the information and support that Arthritis UK offers, which will lead to more people with arthritis being supported to live the lives they want to live.
Arthritis UK provides hands-on support services and advice, trains healthcare professionals throughout the NHS, and is the largest dedicated funder of arthritis research globally.
Arthritis UK’s new website and support tools can be found at www.arthritis-uk.org.
