Senedd election candidates
Stand up for people with arthritis
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 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. The next Welsh Government must face this public health crisis head on. We need your help to make this happen.
Our manifesto
Our manifesto is a blueprint for change. 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.
Arthritis UK Cymru manifesto: 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.
Pledge your support
As a future Member of the Senedd (MS), be a voice for people with arthritis.
Sign our pledge and commit to championing people with arthritis, locally, and in the Senedd.
Sign our pledgeShare your support on X, making sure to tag us so that your followers can find us for support and advice.
“Almost 1 million people in Wales live with a musculoskeletal condition like arthritis. If elected, I pledge to be a voice for people with arthritis in the Senedd, and to work with @ArthritisUK to make Wales a country where we can all thrive.”
Get in touch
Together, we can make sure that no life is left on hold in Wales.
Email Hywel Evans, Policy and Engagement Manager, Arthritis UK Cymru: cymru@arthritis-uk.org
Signpost to us
Our services include self-management resources, local support groups, an online community and free Helpline: 0800 5200 520. Please signpost constituents to us at arthritis-uk.org.