Bell gives UUP support for a Northern Ireland Arthritis Strategy
Ulster Unionist Spokesperson on Disability Issues and Lagan Valley candidate, Billy Bell, has given the UUP’s support to Arthritis Care’s call for a Northern Ireland Arthritis Strategy. Speaking after a question and answer session with people with arthritis, hosted by Arthritis Care, Mr. Bell said, “with 230,000 people in Northern Ireland affected by arthritis, we cannot as a society neglect or sideline this major health issue. The other UK regions have taken important steps towards securing high quality, integrated services for people with arthritis - Northern Ireland cannot be left behind.
“The view of Arthritis Care - that people in Northern Ireland are being offered inferior arthritis services compared to the rest of the UK - sets down a challenge for a new Assembly and Executive. Our services should at least be on a par with the rest of the UK. People with arthritis should be empowered to effectively manage their condition, and have access to support within the community. Not only would this improve quality of life for people with arthritis and their families, it would also help the NHS - early intervention and support for management of arthritis reduces the necessity for later and often more costly interventions.
“The Ulster Unionist Party has, in our Assembly Election Manifesto, stated support for free prescriptions on the NHS. It has been estimated that as many as 30% of people with long-term conditions such as arthritis have failed to purchase all or part of a prescription because of the cost. Arthritis Care have described prescription charges as ‘an unnecessary additional burden imposed on people already struggling to cope with a serious and continuing medical condition’. Those with arthritis, and hard-working families across Northern Ireland, would benefit from free prescriptions. Considering that this policy would only cost 0.5% of Northern Ireland’s health budget, it is a price worth paying to improve quality of life and access to health care for many. And it is yet another reason why the time for devolution is now.”