Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Luke Myer has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting people living with arthritis, supporting the newly-rebranded Arthritis UK in their work towards a future free from arthritis.

He met with Arthritis UK in Parliament on Tuesday 21 October 2025 to celebrate the new name and discuss how patient choice and timely treatment can help reduce NHS waiting times and improve outcomes for people with musculoskeletal conditions.

Arthritis UK’s Chief Executive, Deborah Alsina MBE, said the new name would help strengthen the charity’s visibility and reach, making its mission “unmistakably clear” as it continues to fund world-leading research, train healthcare professionals, and campaign for better support for the ten million people across the UK living with arthritis.

Luke, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as a teenager, serves as one of Parliament’s Arthritis Champions – a cross-party group of MPs working to raise awareness and improve support for those affected by the condition. Since his election, he has met with the charity on several occasions and earlier this year co-signed a cross-party motion calling for better access to care and support for people with arthritis.

He has also been a consistent advocate for fairness in the welfare system, rebelling against planned cuts to disability benefits earlier this year that would have seen hundreds of thousands of people with arthritis lose vital financial support. Following pressure from campaigners and MPs including Luke, the Government backed down on the proposals.

Across Teesside, local NHS data shows that musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions remain widespread. Around one in four adults in the North East live with long-term joint, back, or arthritis-related problems – above the national average. In Middlesbrough alone, an estimated 10,700 people over 45 live with knee osteoarthritis and over 6,000 with hip osteoarthritis, with prevalence rates among the highest third in England.

The impact of arthritis goes far beyond physical pain. Public Health England data shows that people in Teesside with long-term MSK conditions are nearly twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety as the general population.

Speaking after the Westminster event, Luke Myer MP said:

“Arthritis affects more than ten million people across the UK and thousands here in Teesside. I know from personal experience how painful and exhausting this condition can be, and how much difference timely treatment and the right support can make.

“Arthritis UK do extraordinary work to support people living with arthritis, campaign for better services, and fund vital research to find new treatments. I’m proud to be one of their Parliamentary Arthritis Champions, and I’ll keep standing up for everyone living with this condition locally.”

Anyone living with arthritis in Teesside who needs help or advice can visit www.arthritis-uk.org or call 0800 5200 520 for support.

Local residents affected by arthritis can access assessment and treatment through the South Tees Musculoskeletal Service, based at One Life in Middlesbrough, Redcar Primary Care Hospital, Guisborough Primary Care Hospital, and East Cleveland Primary Care Hospital in Brotton.