Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the increase in the number of people diagnosed with arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders in relation to (a) funding and (b) public health strategy.

The burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions is likely to rise significantly due to an ageing population and a combination of obesity and physical inactivity. Individual clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and local authorities (LAs) are responsible for the delivery of services to treat and support the prevention of MSK disorders from their respective resources allocation. Where appropriate, some local services may be designed and delivered in partnership between CCGs and LAs.

Whilst not all MSK conditions are preventable, physical activity can play an important part in reducing risk of developing certain MSK disorders and managing MSK symptoms. Regular physical activity that meets national guidelines on frequency and intensity can reduce an individual’s risk of developing joint and back pain by 25% and can improve symptoms for people with MSK conditions.

The Department works with Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and local authorities to promote physical activity. The ‘Providing physical activity interventions for people with musculoskeletal conditions’ report, published in March 2017 is the result of collaboration between Arthritis Research UK, PHE, NHS England and the Department. The report reviews the benefits of physical activity both for people with MSK conditions and wider society and provides a framework that supports a tiered approach to intervention. More information can be found at the following link:

www.arthritisresearchuk.org/policy-and-public-affairs/reports-and-resources/reports/physical-activity-report.aspx

PHE is leading the discussions to engage all partners and stakeholders to prevent, detect and treat MSK conditions at an earlier stage through the use of evidence based interventions. For the whole population, the Government and PHE are also working to promote and support lifestyles that encourage people to make informed healthy choice in their approach to physical activity and eating a healthy diet, in order to promote overall wellbeing as well as reduce their risk of developing MSK conditions and to maintain and enhance bone health.