David Ruffley has supported Arthritis Awareness Week by signing an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons. The EDM calls on the Government to ensure that the treatment of arthritis is given a proper clinical priority in the NHS.

David said: 'Arthritis is a crippling disease which affects many people. I do have some idea of the suffering arthritis causes because my mother developed severe osteo-arthritis. It deserves to be given a higher clinical priority in the NHS. I have lobbied both local Health Trusts and Government Ministers on the provision of drugs to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. With one in five of the population suffering from this disease we need to address these important issues and improve the quality of life of arthritis sufferers.'