Scottish Parliament and Senedd Elections 2026  

Arthritis UK is urging all political parties to have a credible plan to improve the lives of people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like arthritis as campaigning for the elections in Wales and Scotland begins.  

The charity is calling for improved services and care for nearly 1m people in Wales and 1.7m people in Scotland, many of whom live with debilitating daily pain due to their condition.  

Arthritis UK is calling for MSK conditions to be a national priority, and for action to tackle the excessively long waits for surgery.  

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said:  

"The next governments in Scotland and Wales must tackle orthopaedic waiting times, improve services and deliver effective long-term plans for better musculoskeletal health.  

"These are urgent priorities with too many people with arthritis being let down. They can wait years for diagnosis, struggle to access treatment and face barriers to work and independence. It is a public health issue, an equality and workforce challenge."

Arthritis UK has published its manifestos for Wales and Scotland, which set out how the next governments can tackle this public health crisis head on.