Arthritis charity warns Northern Ireland is “beyond breaking point” as new report reveals deepening MSK health crisis

03/02/2026

New report: NI MSK health system “beyond breaking point”

Arthritis UK Northern Ireland has today published a landmark report sounding the alarm on an escalating musculoskeletal (MSK) health crisis, with more than 550,000 people — nearly one third of the population — now living with arthritis or another MSK condition.  

The charity is calling for urgent, systemwide action to prevent further deterioration in health outcomes, waiting times, and economic participation across Northern Ireland. 

The report, From Breaking Point to Recovery: Prioritising Musculoskeletal Healthcare in Northern Ireland, draws on insights from more than 200 clinicians, patients, and policymakers.  

It highlights living in chronic pain, worsening mental health, and unprecedented waiting times—some stretching to 8 years for rheumatology appointments—leaving thousands unable to work, study, or live independently. 

“Northern Ireland is at a tipping point. Our waiting lists are the longest in the UK and people are living in pain for far too long. The system is not coping—and without urgent action, things will only get worse,” Sara Graham, Head of Northern Ireland, Arthritis UK said. 

The report contains important key findings and provides context to the state of MSK health in Northern Ireland. This includes: 

• 37% of adults and 5% of children and young people are affected by MSK conditions. 
• 79% of people with arthritis live with pain most or all the time. 
• 67% report that arthritis impacts their ability to work; 43% have stopped work altogether 
• 76% say long waits for treatment have harmed their mental health. 
• 43% of people with MSK conditions are economically inactive, meaning MSK conditions are a major contributor to Northern Ireland’s high rates of economic inactivity. 

The report contains the views of clinicians who highlighted levels of moral injury, frustration, burnout and “vicarious trauma” from watching patients deteriorate on long waiting lists and struggling to access timely care. 

Arthritis UK Northern Ireland is urging the Department of Health (DoH) to implement four strategic reforms within the next five years. These are: 

1. Establish a strategic approach to MSK healthcare 

• Introduce a Clinical Lead for MSK health within the DoH to coordinate and prioritise MSK care and treatment. 
• Undertake a policy review of rheumatology, where waiting times are most extreme. 

2. Improve care pathways and diagnosis 

• Codesign clearer diagnostic and triage pathways for primary care. 
• Improve transition pathways for young people moving from paediatric to adult rheumatology services. 
• Integrate mental health support into MSK care at every stage

3. Transform waiting times, patient support and communication 

• Expand orthopaedic and rheumatology capacity to reduce extreme waits. 
• Implement the Department of Health’s ‘Support While Waiting’ policy at pace. 
• Ensure patients receive regular updates and have a single point of contact throughout the waiting process 

4. Increase public awareness and patient education 

• Launch public health campaigns promoting prevention, early intervention and self management. 
• Work with voluntary organisations to deliver accessible patient education, workplace guidance, and community based support. 

Despite its stark findings, the report emphasises that meaningful change is achievable.  

With coordinated leadership, smarter service design, and better communication across the health system, outcomes for people with MSK conditions could dramatically improve within five years. 

Sara Graham, Arthritis UK Northern Ireland added: 

ENDS

For media enquiries contact Áine Magee at Connect a.magee@connectpa.co.uk, mobile 07542 610492 or press@arthritis-uk.org  

About Arthritis UK Northern Ireland: Arthritis UK works across Northern Ireland to support people living with arthritis and MSK conditions, champion evidence-based policy and research, and empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing. For more information, to access the full report, get in touch with the charity by email northernireland@arthritis-uk.org or log onto www.arthritisuk.org or follow them on X 

Notes

The full scale of patient waits can be masked by the published waiting times data, as waiting times are split into the wait for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant, followed by the subsequent wait for inpatient/day case treatment. At September 2025 nearly 51,000 people were waiting for a first appointment to see a consultant in orthopaedics and rheumatology, with some waiting almost eight years for rheumatology and over three for orthopaedics. In addition, over 23,000 were waiting to be admitted for orthopaedic surgery, with a median wait of 76 weeks and a longest wait of up to six years.

Source 

Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (2025) Northern Ireland Outpatient Waiting Time Statistics

Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (2025) Northern Ireland Inpatient and Day Case Waiting Time Statistics 

About Arthritis UK

Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support. 

Over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis. That’s one in six of us living with the pain, fatigue, disability, mental and financial strain it can cause. Many more live with arthritis but remain undiagnosed, untreated and unsupported. 

We know the impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently. Yet for a condition affecting so many, it’s poorly understood and far too little is done. That’s why we invest in life-changing research into better treatments, support people through the daily challenges of life with arthritis, and campaign on the issues that matter most to people living with it. 

At Arthritis UK, we won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access to treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope for a cure in the future. Find out more at: www.arthritis-uk.org 

Arthritis UK. For a future free from arthritis.