Context
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are the single biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK, disproportionately affecting women. Some 60% of those with arthritis in the UK are women, totaling about 6 million women.
Question
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support women who are disproportionately affected by long-term health conditions. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions are the single biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK and one of the most common reasons for workplace absences, particularly affecting 60% of those with arthritis being women.
Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)
Through the big shifts in our 10-year health plan, more tests and care are being delivered in the community, improving working between services, using greater use of technology to support women who are managing long-term conditions. Crucially, we are learning from the work led by pioneering women’s health hubs. Baroness Merron leads on this work, and she met with Charlie Mayfield when he was looking at how to get more women back into the workforce. We will ensure that women’s health and these sorts of long-term conditions are part of this effort.
Not addressed: Ms Smyth did not commit to including an MSK strategy in the next phase of modern service frameworks, but she emphasized a commitment to addressing musculoskeletal health as part of the renewed women’s health strategy.
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