People living with arthritis are being asked to take part in a survey aimed at identifying the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them.

This is the second survey of its type being carried out by the national patient organisation, Arthritis Ireland. It wants to identify how the pandemic has affected people's capacity to access health services and how they feel about vaccines. It also wants to look at the impact the pandemic has had on people's physical and mental health.

"Our 2020 survey showed that four in 10 people with inflammatory arthritis had a hospital appointment to see their consultant cancelled or postponed during the first phase of the pandemic. One-third had scans, blood tests or other tests cancelled or postponed.

"These are significant findings, because arthritis is a chronic condition for which there is no cure. If people cannot access the health services they need, there is increased risk of long-term damage to their health," explained Brian Lynch, head of communications and advocacy at Arthritis Ireland.

He said that these survey findings "will give us the data to advocate on behalf of the one million people living with arthritis".

"This is a destructive disease that causes enormous pain to people. Arthritis doesn't stop while we're trying to solve the pandemic," he added.

The survey can be carried out online and it is anonymous. To participate, click here.

For more information on Arthritis Ireland, click here.