Esther McVey has joined with clinicians and disabled people living with Brittle Bones and associated conditions to celebrate the wonderful care given by NHS specialist centres to children with the condition across the UK.

At a parliamentary reception held on 6th June, the MP for Tatton congratulated the Brittle Bone society on its 50th anniversary and applauded those NHS specialist services which had been presented with awards to celebrate the difference which the service is making to children’s lives.

The charity also highlighted the discrepancies that exist between child and adult services, and the need for continued and multi-disciplinary services for this lifelong condition.

Patricia Osborne, CEO of the Brittle Bone Society, said, “We were incredibly honoured to be able to hold this reception at the House of Commons and to celebrate our 50 years of supporting people with OI. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to thank and reward all the wonderful NHS staff who work tirelessly in supporting us and our members, and to recognise the advances in healthcare achievements throughout the years. There is much to build on as we ensure that adults with the condition also feel fully supported.”

Samantha Renke, disability campaigner and actress, said, “It was great to see the Brittle Bone Society have this opportunity to raise awareness of this rare condition and highlight the needs that so many of us living with OI come across on a regular basis. The treatment when you are a child is excellent, but the minute you turn 18, you end up being the expert on your own condition.”