SUPPORT FOR ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS PATIENTS

Early day motion 313, tabled 23 June 2010 by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 42 members.

That this House supports the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) in its work for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a form of inflammatory arthritis which affects around 200,000 people in the UK with symptoms usually starting in early adulthood; notes the NASS drive to raise awareness of this condition, which can have a major impact on quality of life and ability to work; is concerned that many people with AS in the UK do not receive optimum care because of delayed diagnosis and lack of access to appropriate expertise and therapies; welcomes the recent NASS report Looking Ahead, which highlights the barriers to people with AS receiving the best care; and calls on the Government to ensure access to the specialists and treatments necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes for people with AS.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 6, DUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 1.