Brian Whittle joined people living with arthritis at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Wednesday 8th January. Brian, who is convenor of the parliament’s Cross Party Group on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions, heard first-hand about the impact pain associated with the condition can have on the ability to remain in employment and how to ensure every person with arthritis who wants to work has the support they need.
At the event, healthcare charity Versus Arthritis highlighted its work with people with arthritis in Scotland to identify the barriers they face in seeking and remaining in employment. Arthritis can make work more difficult, with tasks such as commuting, carrying equipment or even typing becoming challenging. In Scotland, only 60% of working age adults with a musculoskeletal condition like arthritis are in work compared to 80% of people with no health conditions.
The Scottish Government has pledged to halve the employment ‘gap’ between disabled people and the rest of the working age population by 2038. For this target to be met, it is vital that people with arthritis have the support they need to stay in or return to work. For example, one-third of people with rheumatoid arthritis will have stopped working within two years of diagnosis. This increases to half being unable to work after 10 years.
However, the charity found that in Scotland people with arthritis experience negative attitudes from colleagues and employers about their condition and its impact on work. People with arthritis also face difficulties accessing support and need better coordination of health, social security and employment services to help them be in work. This means too many people with arthritis in Scotland go without the support they need and are unnecessarily struggling or dropping out of work.
Versus Arthritis is calling for increased awareness of the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on work and earlier access to interventions that can help people with arthritis manage their condition and remain in employment.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
"Almost 1.5 million people in Scotland are living with arthritis and related conditions. I wanted to show support in Holyrood for my constituents and highlight the steps we can all take to make life easier for people with arthritis who want to work.
“It is important that people with arthritis in South Scotland are aware of the help available, such as the NHS 24 Musculoskeletal Helpline and Fair Start Scotland, and can access support when they need it.”
Angela Donaldson-Bruce, Scotland Director at Versus Arthritis, said:
“It was fantastic to see Brian Whittle at our event in Parliament, hearing from people with arthritis about the impact of the condition on their working lives and the support that can make a difference.
“Arthritis and the pain it causes slowly intrudes on everyday life, affecting someone’s quality of life, independence, mental health and ability to work. But we know that most people with arthritis want to work, and many can with the right support. MSPs like Brian Whittle can help to shine a light on what more can be done.”
Stephanie, a 17 year-old high-school student who was first diagnosed with arthritis aged three, spoke to MSPs at the event about the barriers she faces in planning for future employment, and said:
“It was a privilege to be able to speak to influential decision-makers at Versus Arthritis' event and I hope it will make a difference.
I have had arthritis since I was very young, and I have often felt worried about my future. But thanks to support from Versus Arthritis I’ve become more confident talking about my condition and can manage the impact of my symptoms better. I now feel really excited about what I can do next, and I’m hoping to go to university to study immunology
People with arthritis in Scotland need to be able to get the support they need, when they need it.”
