Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has given his backing to Migraine Awareness Week (5 – 11 September) and the call from the Migraine Trust for better care for migraine sufferers.

Mr David is one of the 10 million people in the UK who struggle with occasional migraines and he knows how debilitating they can be. Statistics that have been published by the Migraine Trust to coincide with Migraine Awareness Week show that migraines account for an estimated 43 million lost workdays per year in the UK. For many people, the severity and frequency of their migraine attacks impacts their ability to work, socialise and care for dependents, and has a serious impact on their mental health.

A new report, Dismissed For Too Long, reveals the pain that people suffering from migraine often endure, with 23% of people experiencing migraine attacks for over two years before being diagnosed. The report also shows that 32% of migraine sufferers say their migraines have negatively affected their overall health, with the same number saying migraines have negatively affected their mental health. 30% of people said migraines had impacted their working life and 25% of people said their migraines had a negative impact on their family life.

Wayne David said, “As one of the 10 million people in the UK who live with occasional migraines, I am supporting Migraine Awareness Week to lend my voice to the call for better migraine care.  Acting to improve migraine care will relieve the pressure on local hospitals and GP surgeries, reduce the number of working days lost to this illness and improve the quality of life for millions of people.”