What is an APPG?
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal cross-party groups that meet, relatively informally, to discuss a particular issue of concern. Groups are made up of parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Whilst APPGs have no formal place in the legislature, they are an effective way of bringing together parliamentarians and interested parties to help highlight a topic and the opportunities that exist for improving outcomes in the area. APPGs allow campaign groups, charities, and other non-governmental organisations active in the field to become involved in discussions and influence politicians.
Where is covered by an APPG?
It does vary, but as health is a devolved power in the UK, this APPG will only cover England. We will however carry out many of the same activities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but they will not be under the auspices of the APPG.
Why an APPG for Axial Spondyloarthritis?
In 2017 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published the first ever guideline for the diagnosis and management of spondyloarthritis, followed soon after by an accompanying Quality Standard. This was a huge step forward for the treatment of axial SpA (AS), but there was nothing in place to actually oversee their implementation. Following feedback from discussions with parliamentarians about this challenge, NASS took the step of establishing an APPG that could help to maximise the visibility of this important new guidance and support its implementation across the country. The APPG for Axial SpA will run in the first instance for a time limited period of 2 years.
Who are the members?
Tom Randall, Conservative, Gedling (Chair)
Lord Campbell-Savours, Labour, Life Peer (Co-Chair)
Olivia Blake, Labour, Sheffield Hallam
Dr Rupa Huq, Labour, Acton and Ealing Central
Baroness Masham, Crossbench Peer (Vice Chair)
Kerry McCarthy, Labour, Bristol East
Lia Nici, Conservative, Great Grimsby
Lord Shinkwin, Conservative, Life Peer
Andy Slaughter, Labour, Hammersmith
Derek Thomas MP, Conservative, West Cornwall and the Scilly Isles
Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrats, Twickenham