Arthritis ‘impacting people’s ability to work’

More than half of people surveyed with arthritis in Scotland have said the condition has impacted their ability to work, according to a report from an arthritis charity.

According to a report by Arthritis UK many people with arthritis in Scotland are being left unsupported and unable to work.

The charity found that arthritis affects one in three people across Scotland and is a leading cause of disability.

The report claims that despite these figures the condition remains largely misunderstood and many with the condition are not receiving the care and support they urgently need.

Arthritis UK has worked with YouGov to survey almost 8,000 people representative of the population affected by this condition.

The survey included 1,021 people from Scotland.

It revealed that of the people surveyed in Scotland, 56% said that arthritis had impacted their ability to work.

The report also showed that 40% of people have stopped work due to their arthritis and 38% said arthritis played a part in their decision to retire.

Lauren Bennie, head of Scotland at Arthritis UK, said the issue “demands urgent action”.

She said: “More than 1,000 Scots have bravely shared their experiences of living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Scotland with Arthritis UK.

“As the leading charity for people with arthritis, we know the reality facing our nation’s workforce.

“Far too many people in Scotland are being pushed out of work because of arthritis.

“This includes one in three people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on day one of the Scottish Parliament who will have left the workplace by the end of that same Parliament.

“What kind of legacy is that for any party in government?

“This is a public health issue that demands urgent action.

“As the Scottish Government selects which health conditions will receive dedicated action plans within the upcoming Long Term Conditions Framework, ministers and civil servants alike must recognise arthritis as a major public health challenge and act now to prevent further avoidable harm.”

The report, titled Left Waiting, Left Behind: The Reality Of Living With Arthritis, concludes that people with arthritis face widespread challenges in accessing effective treatment and support.

Arthritis UK has called for improved training for frontline healthcare professionals to enable more timely diagnosis and to improve support for people with arthritis.

The charity has called on the Scottish Government to create a dedicated action plan for arthritis within the Long Term Conditions Framework, which is currently being reviewed.

It said this would be alongside multi-year investment in orthopaedic surgery to reduce waiting times.

Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Arthritis UK, said: “Too many of the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis are being left unsupported and left to face daily pain, without timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.

“This erodes their quality of life and damages the prospect of economic growth.

“This report shows us that huge numbers of people with arthritis are falling out of work and risk being pushed into poverty.

“The further tragedy is that much of this is avoidable.”

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Excessively long waiting lists are not acceptable and we offer our sympathies to all patients waiting for treatment.

“We are investing more than £110 million this year to give patients faster access to treatment, with more than 213,000 additional appointments and procedures this year. More than £25 million will be targeted towards trauma and orthopaedics.

“The 2025-26 Scottish Budget sees record levels of investment in medical training, supporting greater foundation year places and additional specialty training places including in services with expertise in arthritis and other long term conditions.

“The Long Term Conditions Framework aims to encourage fairer care across all long term health conditions, better recognising that many people need the same type of support regardless of their circumstances.

“It will also still allow for specific care and help where appropriate.”