Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Axial Spondyloarthritis

17 September 2020 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Tom Randall Con Gedling

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tom Randall raised concerns about axial spondyloarthritis in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Tom Randall, MP for Gedling, raised concerns about delayed diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis (AS) in the UK, noting an average delay of eight and a half years from symptom onset to diagnosis.
  • The MP emphasized the need for local inflammatory back pain pathways, public awareness campaigns, and routine adoption of minimum service specifications in the NHS for better management of AS.
  • Eleanor Laing, the Minister, commended Tom Randall for raising awareness of AS and highlighted the NHS long-term plan's commitment to improving access to musculoskeletal first-contact practitioners and physiotherapists.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tom Randall Con Gedling

Tom Randall, MP for Gedling, raised the issue of delayed diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis (AS), a type of inflammatory arthritis affecting approximately one in 200 adults in the UK. He emphasised that AS often presents in late teens or early 20s and is associated with severe fatigue, uveitis, and psoriasis. The average delay from symptom onset to diagnosis is eight and a half years, leading to poorer clinical outcomes, higher healthcare costs, and increased work disability. Randall highlighted the need for local inflammatory back pain pathways, public awareness campaigns, and routine adoption of minimum service specifications in NHS.

Other contributors (1)
  • Helen Whately Con Faversham and Mid Kent

    Acknowledged Tom Randall's personal courage in bringing the issue to Parliament. Emphasised the importance of early diagnosis for preventing severe disability and improving quality of life.

Government Response

Eleanor Laing

The Minister, Eleanor Laing, commended Tom Randall on his bravery in raising personal health issues in Parliament. She highlighted that AS is often misdiagnosed as mechanical lower back pain and noted the importance of awareness among healthcare professionals and the public. The Minister mentioned the NHS long-term plan's commitment to improving access to musculoskeletal first-contact practitioners and physiotherapists, and she expressed willingness to meet with Tom Randall to discuss further improvements in diagnosis and treatment pathways for AS. She also acknowledged the work done by the National Institute for Health Research on AS research.

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