At a recent Parliamentary event Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston,

heard about new research from charity Versus Arthritis which shows that 43% of people with arthritis said they struggled with tasks at home for more than two years before finding out about equipment they were eligible for.

Justin gave his support Versus Arthritis’ ‘Room to Manoeuvre’ campaign which calls for improved access to aids and adaptations in the home.

Arthritis and related conditions, such as back pain, fibromyalgia and gout, are the biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK, affecting 17.8 million people every day.  Aids and adaptations can help people with arthritis to remain independent in their homes, keep them out of hospital and reduce the need for more expensive care services.  However, too many people face barriers to accessing this vital support or are paying for it themselves because they are not aware of the free help available.

Justin said:

“4,720 people in Ellesmere Port and Neston are living with osteoarthritis of the hip, 8,017 with osteoarthritis of the knee and 16,262 with back pain.  Many more are affected by other related conditions every day.

“It’s clear that aids and adaptations in the home can help people remain independent, and I want to make sure that people with arthritis in Ellesmere Port and Neston know about the support available and are able to access it easily.

“The Government and local authorities must ensure people with arthritis and related conditions are told about the aids and minor adaptations that can help them and, if they have eligible needs for care and support, that they are provided with this equipment free of charge.”