Health · 2 days ago

Hundreds of thousands with hypermobility face long waits for diagnosis

Around 200,000 to 300,000 people in the UK could have hypermobility spectrum disorders, but many wait nearly 20 years for a diagnosis. These conditions, like HSD and hEDS, make joints too flexible and can cause pain, fatigue, and digestive problems. Experts say diagnosis is a "postcode lottery" because there are no dedicated NHS guidelines for doctors.

By BriefTea Editorial · 28 August 2026 at 5:07

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

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How does the NHS work? What causes joint flexibility? What is hypermobility? Why are diagnoses so slow?

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