20 Million Reasons…

Tuesday 13th October was a red letter day for ARMA, the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance of which EDS Support UK is a member. Thanks to Sonia Kumar MP who sponsored the event, we held our inaugural 20 Million Reasons parliamentary drop-in during Bone and Joint Week, bringing together some 20 member organisations, including medical charities and professional bodies, NHS clinicians, people with lived experience, and some 15 parliamentarians.

The purpose: to present the case for making MSK a national health priority for the 20 million people in the UK living with MSK conditions.

Our intention was not simply to raise awareness. We were asking for action.

Specifically, a national cross-cutting strategy that integrates MSK into national policies and programmes for health and social care, addressing inequalities, education and skills, and employment; and a national framework for local delivery that sets clear outcomes and accountability while giving local systems the flexibility to deliver timely, targeted provision.

What was most encouraging was the energy of the collective voice in the room, as people shared information, expertise and perspectives, made connections and discussed plans for collaboration, while MPs engaged with the member organisations and offered their support.

This was an important step towards a change in policy, to a future where we could see MSK health put firmly on the political agenda and given the national priority it needs.

Photo: Alison Roux, EDS UK Trustee and Caroline Nokes MP. Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons