The NRAS manifesto

[medway-lady]

I had the other day a email suggesting sending the NRAS manifesto to candidates in the forthcoming election. I was surprised as a few things leapt out at me. It was for all four nations but what good is that I can't elect an MP for Scotland they are not on my ballot paper.

But what really puzzled me were the 6 targets not once were waiting lists mentioned nor GP access yet that those are primary issues. So thank you for sending it a real surprise as you previously posted about no political stuff on the group however the Welsh , and Scottish Governments have devolved powers so we can't if living in England influence the outcome of any party elected. And I'm sure that it has been sent with good intent but to me it's of no value. The worst thing is it is confusing it looks like each nation has a different priority then how does digital inclusion affect RA? Sorry NRAS not sending to any candidate plus they will have algorithms that weed out multiple emails saying same thing. So best thing would be for any member to take bits affecting their area add what they want and send. I've sent my comments re waiting lists and GP's and delays in operations to all three candidates here and 2.Edit is (I Pushed send to soon) acknowledged. Might have no effect but I asked questions.

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

As NRAS is a national organisation, we support people across all 4 nations of the UK. Our briefing and manifesto document was intended to highlight the ‘top’ issues in each nation and does not suggest these are ‘all’ the issues faced by those living with RA and JIA. There will, of course, be localised issues as you say with your access to GP appointments but this isn’t the case across the UK. We have highlighted health inequalities and prioritising prevention as an issue that we feel is faced by a significant number of people living with long-term conditions including RA and JIA in the UK. For England, we have highlighted prescription charges as an ongoing issue which is specific to that nation and impacts thousands of people with RA and JIA. This manifesto is not meant to be a specific guide for the election but as a tool which we will use to encourage the next government to prioritise these issues for people living with RA, JIA and wider long-term health conditions.

[medway-lady in reply to Clare-NRAS]

I understand that, but look at what you're saying and how it's been presented. Items printed over Countries, not as a list so indicating that it's a National hope, but how the NRAS sees priorities in each Country. How do you know this is what is needed?. How is digital inclusion affected by RA? That was why I asked and devolution means sending this to my MP in Kent cannot affect the devolved issues in the NHS in Wales and Scotland so it has no point. Country issues mean that Westminster except for Prescription charges in England has no control over how resources are addressed. The Scottish NHS is run in Scotland not from England. My point is that I can't affect Scotland etc as no potential Scottish MP is standing, likewise Wales, and NI and thats why it has no impact. I said before in this part of the country it's getting to see a GP and long waiting times to see an RA consultant (I've heard over 2 years) people are discussing not prescription charges. However it is up to the individual how they look at your manifesto and what they do, send it or as I did to ask my candidates about child poverty, lack of school places, fly tipping, why people are on trolleys for 40 hours, its hard and I'm not being political but really can't see how sending this except to the individual country can possibly be helpful.