Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis impacts a wide demographic including babies, children, young adults and senior citizens. Approximately a global estimated population of 125 million vulnerable people suffer from this skin condition and the actual figure is believed to be closer to 300 million due to several undiagnosed cases in developing nations.

Sufferers are subject to abuse and discrimination from various organisations such as retail & hospitality businesses; local, regional, national, or international charities; social community groups; private members clubs; care workers; yoga teachers; massage therapists; beauty professionals; and self-employed health & fitness professionals. 

British society requires appropriate education around the condition including an awareness of the emotional implications to sufferers. British employers also need to take greater responsibility for staff welfare. Let's collectively make a social impact and stop this injustice. #GetYourSkinOut

The Letter:

I am writing this letter to bring to attention the discrimination Psoriasis sufferers face on an ongoing daily basis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune system disease that impacts all aspects of a sufferers life. Psoriasis is a non-contagious condition however may be confused to be contagious by members of the British public. The emotional implications of Psoriasis are commonly ignored and the current legal framework needs to be updated to reflect the values of fairness, diversity, equality, inclusion and compassion.

My proposal is to implement changes to the qualification requirements of the Equality Act 2010. The Act should apply to all organisations regardless of the fact whether they have more or less than 25 members/employees.

I also propose that all UK Registered Companies and Charities should submit an annual "Health and Wellness Confirmation Statement" alongside their annual Confirmation Statements and/or Notes to the Financial Statements. The submission should be made with a view to build or sustain an in-house culture of wellness reflecting upon the company or charity's health and wellness policies.

The submission must contain details around performance measures, preventative activities, risk management, complaints and other workplace health controls implemented. It should be applicable for employees, charity volunteers, charity workers, external contractors and zero hour contracted staff.

I urge the relevant UK Government Agencies to design an appropriate framework for the submission including setting out the legal obligations applicable to Company Directors and Charity Trustee Boards. This will require amendments to The Companies Act 2016 and The Charities Act 2011.

I have full faith that you shall action this letter as it’s a beacon of hope to many UK citizens and the differently abled community. 

Thank you for reading this letter.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Trushar Shantilal Patel.