Regional awards for elected representatives in each part of the United Kingdom are intended to honour "individual politicians who have shown an understanding of, and commitment to, the issues affecting people with arthritis, and who have promoted those issues within their sphere of influence". This is an honour I am proud to receive, particularly in the knowledge that it was voted for by arthritis sufferers themselves.
Certainly my colleagues and I take a keen interest in arthritis and other long-term conditions. It is important that arthritis remains high on the political agenda. Chronic conditions tend to find it more difficult to garner media attention compared with others considered more acute or life-threatening. Letters to my constituency office certainly illustrate the difficulties sufferers face, coping with pain and struggling just to complete day to day tasks the rest of us take for granted.
One particular difficulty for those with severe rheumatoid arthritis has been access to anti-TNF therapies. Extra funding was provided a couple of years ago and many more people were able to be treated as a result, but there is still a long waiting list with new sufferers joining all the time.
Patients deserve parity with other UK regions. Access to these drugs is still much worse here than in the rest of the UK and Europe, something understandably hugely frustrating for those with arthritis who would benefit and realise the massive impact these drugs can have.
Rheumatology provision in the Province remains worse than in Great Britain, but the devolved administration has the potential to make a difference and start to even up the situation. A Musculoskeletal Services Framework for England was launched in October and in Wales a Service Development Directive for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions is being progressed. We need the same direction strategic here, and more support to assist in the self-management of arthritis. Some time ago now the Strategic Review of Rheumatology Services in Northern Ireland document called for root and branch modernisation of the service.
The DHSSPS strategy document, Healthier Futures, has already recognised the impact of long-term conditions, acknowledged the value of self-management training, singled out the Challenging Arthritis programmes as an example of good practice and promised that arthritis would be one of seven chronic condition management programmes to be launched by next year.
Sufficient consultant rheumatologists, specialist nurses and other allied health professionals are essential. Equally we need a properly resourced paediatric rheumatology service. Young people with juvenile arthritis have been forced to endure long waits for assessment.
There are difficulties around arthritis sufferers remaining at work. Awareness amongst employers must be raised regarding their responsibilities, and the positive aspects of employing those with disabilities must be highlighted. More needs to be done to minimise the difficulties arthritis sufferers experience in obtaining benefits, appropriate transport and adaptations to their homes. Through the Health Committee at Stormont we can continue to highlight the needs of those with arthritis and other chronic conditions.