Children’s centre backing welcomed
CHILDREN with arthritis could soon receive treatment at a fully-dedicated rheumatology centre after Assembly Members overwhelmingly voted to support its creation.
The National Rheumatology Arthritis Society (NRAS), Arthritis Care and the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) took part in a debate last week to encourage the Welsh Government to take action.
Wales is currently the only country in the UK without a dedicated rheumatology centre.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a severe autoimmune condition which can cause severe joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
It can affect very young children through to adolescents and has no cure.
An estimated 600 children are affected by the condition in Wales.
It is one of the most common causes of physical disability during early childhood, affecting one in 1,000 children under the age of 16.
The Welsh Government will now be under pressure to create a full paediatric rheumatology service in Wales for children with JIA which should include one consultant paediatric rheumatologist, two nurse specialists, one physiotherapist and an occupational therapist.
Matthew Bezzant, policy and public affairs manager at NRAS, said: “We are delighted that this motion has passed – and for the children in Wales with JIA that this will serve if implemented by the Welsh Government.
“A dedicated rheumatology service will mean local support, with fewer families having to travel to England for basic services.”
Mary Cowern, director of arthritis care Wales, said: “Children with arthritis need access to high-quality health and support services to help limit the physical and emotional impact of their condition and to enable them to reach their true potential. The development of multidisciplinary paediatric rheumatology services is a much-needed resource in Wales and would make a huge difference to the lives of children with arthritis and their families.”
The motion was brought to the Assembly in an Individual Members Debate led by David Melding.
Mr Melding welcomed the passing of the motion and commended the contributions that were made in the debate.
He said: “I am so pleased that this extremely important motion has passed through the chamber.
“Wales is in desperate need of a multidisciplinary paediatric rheumatology centre; we have been left behind for too long.
“When I was first approached by representatives of Arthritis Care, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and the British Society for Rheumatology – who have all been doing fantastic work in raising the awareness of this issue – I was surprised that such services did not already exist.
“The result of this debate has proved that this issue is above party politics and I am glad that my Assembly colleagues have recognised the necessity of such a service.”
Plaid Cymru’s health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said the Welsh Government “lacks ambition” about creating specialisms and bringing patients into the NHS.
He said: “The data clearly shows south Wales alone can sustain such a centre, and north Wales could sustain a centre if the government made the effort to attract patients from England as well.
“Instead, we have a government that lacks ambition about creating specialisms and bringing patients into the NHS.
“The net result is hundreds of children having to travel long distances, or being under-treated for a serious condition. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
The Welsh Government said: “The Health Secretary has said he will consider the call for the new service alongside the positive actions we’re already taking to support and treat people with musculoskeletal conditions, taking into account the results of the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee review which is currently under way.”