RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AWARENESS WEEK 2013

That this House notes the importance of the first ever National Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week from 24 to 30 June 2013 in raising public awareness of this chronic autoimmune disease; welcomes the publication of a new report by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) highlighting concerns about the poor levels of public awareness about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among the general population; further notes the critical importance of strong public awareness as a means to improve rates of early diagnosis and help minimise the impact of RA on patients, families and wider society; calls on the Government to review current approaches to raising public awareness of chronic long-term conditions such as RA, initiate a high level dialogue with stakeholders representing these interests and formulate an action plan to bring about meaningful change; and praises the work of the NRAS in campaigning for equal access to good care and services for all RA patients, their families and carers.