Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Get the free app no ads · no paywall

Explained in plain English

Why are diagnoses so slow?

The story highlights that people with hypermobility conditions often wait nearly 20 years for a diagnosis. This delay is partly due to a lack of dedicated NHS guidelines for doctors, leading to inconsistent care. Experts describe it as a 'postcode lottery,' meaning access to diagnosis and treatment depends heavily on where you live, rather than a standardised national approach.

Stories that explain this

Hundreds of thousands with hypermobility face long waits for diagnosis

Related explainers

What causes joint flexibility? What is hypermobility? How does the NHS work? Why are ADHD diagnoses rising? Why are adult diagnoses increasing? How will AI diagnose dementia? How are cancer diagnoses made? How do diagnoses change?

The full catalogue

Browse every card filed under D →