HYPERMOBILITY SYNDROMES AWARENESS WEEK

Early day motion 1131, tabled 24 February 2016 by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 30 members.

That this House welcomes the first Hypermobility Syndromes Awareness Week campaign organised by the Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HMSA), taking place from 22 to 29 February 2016, which encourages earlier recognition and diagnosis and needs-led interventions; notes that around 1.5 million people in the UK are affected by a hypermobility syndrome, but that 55 per cent of people take 10 years to reach a diagnosis, impacting on not just physical health but on relationships, education and work opportunities and potentially increasing socio-economic dependency; further notes that hypermobility syndromes can be rare, genetic, and potentially life-threatening; is concerned that there is a lack of specialist services in the UK and that services which are available are fragmented and difficult to access when needed; notes that late or lack of diagnosis increases the burden on health and social services due to repeat presentations for complex and multi-systemic issues which may be avoidable with earlier intervention; understands the importance of earlier diagnosis and access to treatment in promoting people's physical health and mental wellbeing; encourages hon. Members to raise awareness of HMSA's website www.hypermobility.org, which has information and signposting advice to help people understand their conditions; and congratulates HMSA, which is primarily run by volunteers with one of the hypermobility syndromes, for organising Hypermobility Syndromes Awareness Week and its other important work.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 15, Labour 5, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1.