South Holland and the Deepings: ‘We owe it to every person enduring arthritic pain to bring their struggle out of the shadows’

Over ten million people across the United Kingdom live with the burden of arthritis, writes Sir John Hayes in his regular Hayes in the House column.

That’s one in six of our countrymen who endure daily fatigue, limited mobility and pain. Here, in South Holland and The Deepings, it means around 15,000 people are facing the many challenges that come with the condition; a quiet epidemic, invisible yet with the cruel power to change lives.

Arthritis is not a single illness, but a term that encompasses many conditions. The most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are others too, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which affects an estimated 10,000 young Britons.

By the age of 75, nearly half of us will have osteoarthritis. Statistics are made meaningful when thinking of the individuals whose livelihoods, independence and dignity are affected by chronic pain.

The consequences of arthritis are extensive. Twenty per cent of sufferers are less likely than those without the malady to be in work. So, the toll on our economy, our NHS and, most importantly, on families is immense. Between 2017 and 2026, the cost to the NHS of treating just osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is expected to reach £118.6 billion. Although the financial toll is vast, it pales in comparison with the human suffering it represents – people whose work, rest and play are inhibited.

In July, I visited Long Sutton Arthritis UK, previously known as Versus Arthritis, meeting there constituents who spoke with courageous candour about the ways in which they cope with the condition. I was struck by their resilience but also mindful too of their frustration that arthritis is too often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing, rather than being recognised as something that can affect anyone at any age.

My mother’s arthritis and the pain it brought, taught me why we need practical action: faster diagnosis, better access to effective treatments, and closer coordination between GPs, physiotherapists, and social care services. Across the country, local groups, like the one in Long Sutton, charities, and NHS teams are doing remarkable work to help people manage pain and maintain mobility, but they cannot make progress alone.

With strong government support, investment in research, and a shared commitment to learning from people’s experience, we can move beyond simply managing arthritis to enabling people to live fuller, more independent lives. No one, young or old, should feel forgotten or be left to cope in silence.

For my part, in the House of Commons and beyond, I will continue to fight for those living with this debilitating condition. We owe it to every person enduring arthritic pain to bring their struggle out of the shadows to the light of greater awareness, with better care and investment in lasting cures. With sustained commitment – from the Government, researchers, charities and communities – we can and will, for all of those with arthritis, change life for the better.