PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: ONE YEAR ON

Early day motion 1200, tabled 14 December 2010 by Linda Riordan (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House welcomes the publication of The Year of Rheumatoid Arthritis: One Year On, by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and the British Society for Rheumatology which assessesthe progress made over the last year in improving the quality and standard of care for people with rheumatoid arthritis; welcomes the four recommendations which seek to improve and optimise best practice and to ensure consistency in service provision and patient care and notes the report's findings to improve care for people with rheumatoid arthritis; recognises people with rheumatoid arthritis who lack sufficient information and support to help them manage their condition can experience hopelessness, despair and depression; and calls on the Government to recognise the importance of early referral and greater awareness amongst general practitioners, safeguard the involvement of patients in the redesign of services and retain the specialist skills of the multi-disciplinary team and specialist nurses in particular.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, DUP 6, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.