Sarah Beattie-Smith pledges to become Arthritis Champion for the South of Scotland
Sarah Beattie-Smith has today agreed to become an ‘Arthritis Champion’, and is asking her local communities to get involved in the fight to beat arthritis.
The prospective MSP is backing Arthritis Research UK in their efforts to prevent and cure arthritis, and transform the lives of people that live with the pain of arthritis, and has signed up to their ‘Prevent, Transform, Cure’ manifesto.
Hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland live with the pain of arthritis. People with conditions like osteoarthritis, back pain and osteoporosis often experience a great deal of pain and a loss of mobility, which can make everyday tasks like shopping, making a cup of tea or playing with their grandchildren almost impossible.
Across the UK, over 10 million people in the UK have arthritis, and it is the number one cause of pain and disability.
By agreeing to become an Arthritis Champion, Sarah,- Candidate for South of Scotland region has pledged to:
- campaign to make arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions a public health priority
- fight to ensure that people with arthritis get high-quality care at the time that they need it
- champion Scotland’s role in medical research and the search for a cure for arthritis
Speaking about the manifesto, Sarah said, “I am delighted to become an Arthritis Champion. Arthritis affects a huge number of local people in the South of Scotland, and is the number one cause of pain and disability in the UK.
“These are painful conditions which can have a massive impact on every aspect of people’s lives. We need to see a commitment from all parties to prevent and cure arthritis, and a transformation of the services available to those that are living with this pain now.”
Dr Liam O’Toole, chief executive officer of Arthritis Research UK, said, “It’s unacceptable that so many people in Scotland are living a life accompanied by pain because they have arthritis or another musculoskeletal condition. That’s why I’m delighted that Sarah Beattie-Smith has become an Arthritis Champion and agreed to be a voice for local people living in pain.
“Our Arthritis Research UK manifesto for Scotland sets out an exciting vision for the future of our battle to beat arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
“There is much that can be done: but we can’t do it alone. We need to work in partnership to put the needs of people with arthritis on the political agenda and transform the lives of people living with arthritis.”
Have you asked your local election candidates to be a voice for local people with arthritis? Visit to www.arthritisresearchuk.org/scotland to find out more.