Senedd Election 2026

No Life Left on Hold

Almost 1 million adults, young people and children in Wales live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition like arthritis. That’s nearly 1 million people living with the daily pain, fatigue and disability they can cause.

Progress has been made. And we’re proud to have been a part of it. But too many people still face a life left on hold. Too many people in Wales have had to press pause on their hopes, dreams and ambitions because of their arthritis. Waiting in agony for treatment and support – pushed out of work, into poverty and close to breaking point.

It doesn't have to be this way.

Heather's story

"People underestimate arthritis. I have been in pain every day of my life since I was 2. I have felt my bones grinding on each other, feeling like there are stones in my joints. It’s like I’m drowning in treacle just trying to carry on and do the basics - the daily things that most people don’t think about, but seem impossible when you have arthritis.

In Wales, it feels like it’s either one extreme or the other: sometimes support and information is very good, but a lot of the time it's not there at all. I shouldn't have to google things after seeing my doctor! It would help if you could have one place to go for all your health, and if they could let you know what support exists.”

Our manifesto

Our manifesto is a blueprint for change, setting out actions for the next Senedd and Welsh Government to meet this public health crisis head on.

We’re calling on the next Senedd and Welsh Government to make arthritis the national priority its impact demands, appoint a new Minister for Healthcare Access, tackle the orthopaedic waiting times backlog, and support children and young people with arthritis, and their families, so that they can thrive.

Orthopaedic services waiting times and lists in Wales are among the highest of all NHS services

NHS waiting lists: referral to treatment pathways waiting to start treatment, August 2024 onwards. Stats Wales

Arthritis UK Cymru Senedd Election Manifesto

Arthritis UK Cymru Manifesto 2026: A call for action in the next Senedd

991,000 reasons to make arthritis and musculoskeletal 
(MSK) conditions a national priority

Hundreds of thousands of people across Wales wake up to the pain of arthritis every day. So many tell us that they feel their life is on hold as they manage their way through the challenges of living with arthritis.

The good news is that the impact of arthritis can be reduced. Prevention, early diagnosis, proactive early interventions, supported self-management, and timely access to support, information and treatment can transform quality of life.

This manifesto is a call to action to make arthritis the national public health priority its impact demands – to transform the management of arthritis in Wales, improve the MSK health of the nation and reduce the strain of arthritis on the NHS and our economy.

Read our manifesto

Our community has the power to create lasting change. Stretching across Wales, we’re a powerful community of people with arthritis, carers, researchers, health and care professionals, families and friends. Time and again we’ve shown the power we have when we come together and speak out. Together, we demand a future free from the limits of arthritis. Together, we can make this future a reality.  

Find out more about our campaigning in Wales.

We’re here whenever you need us. If you would like to talk to someone, remember you can: