That the Parliament notes that World Arthritis Day will be marked on 12 October 2025; understands that the day aims to raises global awareness of the existence and impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases; believes that arthritis and MSK conditions affect one in three people in Scotland; considers that MSK conditions are a significant burden on NHS Scotland, with, it understands, orthopaedics currently accounting for one third of waiting times; further considers that there is a clear link between MSK conditions and economic deprivation and believes that these conditions are second only behind mental health in relation to claims for sickness benefit; notes the view that it vital that MSK conditions are prioritised to reflect the serious impact that they are having on Scotland’s public health, economy and society, and applauds what it sees as the excellent work of Versus Arthritis in Scotland to raise awareness of arthritis and change lives through world-class research, campaigning and service delivery.
Supported by:
Clare Adamson, Jackie Baillie, Jeremy Balfour, Sarah Boyack, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Foysol Choudhury, Jackie Dunbar, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane (Registered interest)
, Rachael Hamilton, Emma Harper, Stephen Kerr, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Pauline McNeill, Alex Rowley, Mark Ruskell, Alexander Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle (Registered interest)