Tag: World Arthritis Day

Iconic Scottish landmarks light up blue for World Arthritis Day

Some of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Kelpies and Glasgow Science Centre, will light up blue on Monday 12 October for World Arthritis Day as Arthritis UK calls for a dedicated Scottish action plan for arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.

The illuminations will highlight the impact of MSK conditions on the 1.7 million people in Scotland who live with them — around one in three — many experiencing daily pain, fatigue and reduced mobility.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of World Arthritis Day and Arthritis UK’s 90th anniversary. It offers an opportunity to celebrate progress in research and support while highlighting how much work remains.

More than 4,500 people have signed the charity’s ‘Don’t Turn Your Back on Arthritis’ open letter to First Minister John Swinney, calling for a dedicated MSK Action Plan.

The proposed plan would help people get a diagnosis and support sooner, improve access to rehabilitation and supported self-management, and help them stay active and independent.

It would also provide stronger national leadership and investment in MSK health.

Edinburgh nurse Rebecca Murray was 12 when she woke with a hot, swollen elbow. Initially dismissed as a swimming injury, her symptoms led to a year of appointments and unsuccessful treatments before she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Pain and fatigue forced her to give up competitive swimming, while at school she often had to fight for support.

“At such a young age, it felt like I’d lost a big part of who I was after my diagnosis,” she said. “It’s an invisible illness that many people wrongly associate with older age.”

Originally from Aberdeenshire, Rebecca found support through Arthritis UK’s Young People and Families Service, which connected her with others facing similar challenges.

“At times, I have felt pretty hopeless with my condition, but the friends and connections I made through Arthritis UK really helped change not only my outlook on my condition, but the outlook on my life.”

Michaela Brown, 34, from Campbeltown, manages three forms of arthritis while raising her daughter as a single mum. She said: “On World Arthritis Day, I want people to understand that arthritis affects younger people too. I’m 34, and it affects my work, my family life, and what I can do with friends.

“We need a dedicated MSK Action Plan for Scotland, covering earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, physiotherapy and support to stay active and in work.

For those of us living in rural communities, it must also address the long journeys and practical difficulties of getting specialist care.

We need support that reflects the everyday reality of living with arthritis.”

Lauren Bennie, Head of Arthritis UK Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 90th anniversary and the progress we have made in research support and awareness over the last nine decades.

“However, for the 1.7 million people in Scotland living with a musculoskeletal condition, there is still plenty of work to be done. Arthritis remains one of Scotland’s few major health conditions without a dedicated strategy.   

“Unfortunately, it is all too common to wait too long for a diagnosis, treatment, or the support people need to live independently. Lighting up these landmarks is a small way of saying to those experiencing this, you are not alone, and your voices are heard.  

“We are calling on the First Minister to face the facts about arthritis and commit to Scotland’s first-ever MSK Action Plan.”  

The campaign will continue throughout the autumn, with Arthritis UK also working to secure the first dedicated debate on arthritis in the Scottish Parliament.

The landmarks taking part are:

  • University of Glasgow Tower
  • Glasgow Science Centre
  • Ness Bridge
  • The Falkirk Wheel
  • The Kelpies

People can add their names to the open letter and call on the First Minister to face arthritis head-on at:

https://www.arthritis-uk.org/news/first-minister-don-t-turn-your-back-on-arthritis

Charity urges greater support for those with arthritis

Versus Arthritis, the leading charity supporting those with arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in Scotland, is marking World Arthritis Day tomorrow (Saturday 12 October) with a call for greater community-based support for children, young people and adults living with arthritis.

Marking the day, Versus Arthritis has published the report, Putting the Pieces Together in Drumchapel, which shows how tackling MSK conditions is about ‘more than just healthcare’ and that support within and by communities is vital in improving the lives of Scots living with arthritis.

A staggering one in three people in Scotland are affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like arthritis, which includes problems that affect our bones, joints and muscles. Unfortunately, MSK conditions will remain one of the leading causes of disease and injury in Scotland over the next 20 years.

Arthritis is often debilitating, isolating and can dramatically impact people’s quality of life. In fact, those with arthritis are 20% less likely to be in work and around one in five people with arthritis experiences anxiety and depression. The impact can also be felt by businesses, as MSK conditions are the third most common cause of sickness absence, with over 20 million working days lost per year.

MSK conditions are also more common in areas of greater poverty, and with Scotland facing some of the worst health inequalities in Europe, according to Public Health Scotland, the challenge is to ensure that care and support across the country is equitable and meets the needs of people locally.

Drumchapel is one such area where there are high levels of deprivation and associated health problems, and where there are gaps in supporting people with arthritis. But crucially, as this report points out, it is also an area of mutual support, community organisation, partnership and networks. There are opportunities to make a real difference.

In line with this year’s World Arthritis Day theme (Informed Choices, Better Outcomes), the conclusion of the Versus Arthritis report is that MSK conditions must be understood in terms of the places where people live, meet and interact, including how they access and use information about support and care.

Alan McGinley, Policy and Engagement Manager Scotland, said: “This Versus Arthritis report highlights that ‘softer services’, such as community and peer support groups, matter greatly, and that alternatives to formal care that support wellbeing are important in living well with arthritis.

“That is why Versus Arthritis is calling for a ‘whole community’ approach in looking after the wellbeing and health of those with MSK conditions. We firmly believe that by ensuring our healthcare services are understood in the context of community networks and support, we can build a future where people with arthritis can live the lives they choose.”

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