MSK & Arthritis News

Consultation on NICE principles

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is inviting comments on the consultation of a new version of the principles that guide the development of NICE guidance and standards. The consultation will run until 11 February 2019.

The document brings together existing statements of the way NICE practices, in particular the principles set out in our Social Values Judgements document. It also links to, and is consistent with, the legislation that establishes NICE in its current form, the NICE charter, and other legal, ethical and technical considerations that relate to decisions about how to allocate fixed resources in health and social care.…

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NICE offers conference ticket bursary to attend the 2019 NICE conference

NICE launched a bursary scheme for voluntary and community sector organisations for the 2019 NICE Annual Conference which is taking place at the Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester on 9 May 2019.

The bursary offer

This year’s bursary package consists of a full day delegate pass to the conference worth £149 plus VAT. The bursary scheme is open to national voluntary and community sector organisations, local and regional Healthwatches, and can be applied for by completing and returning the application form. Further details of the bursary scheme and the application form are available on the NICE website bursary page.…

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Everything you wanted to know about setting up a Musculoskeletal Service but were afraid to ask!

Sign up for the webinar rescheduled for 15 February 2019 at 12.30—1.30pm

The rescheduled webinar on Friday 15 February 2019 describes the set-up of the Telford Musculoskeletal Service and some of the problems encountered along the way, with the solutions used.

The Service is a single-point of access for rheumatology, pain, physiotherapy, orthopaedics and musculoskeletal services in the NHS within Telford. The service is a prime vendor type model with Shropshire Community Trust holding the main contract and sub-contracting to other NHS and Private providers in the locality.…

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Subsidised rate for Health and Wellbeing at Work Conference until 15 January 2019

The subsidised rate for the Health and Wellbeing at Work conference on 5-6 March 2019 at the NEC is available until 15 January 2019 at £40 (plus VAT) for both days.

The conference is all about improving the health and wellbeing of work-aged people and aims to provide new ideas and resources to help ensure employees are engaged and motivated, healthy, return to work quickly following absence and stay in work. Profiling national developments, service innovations, examples of best practice and the latest research, it provides an unrivalled learning platform that is designed to energise and inspire.…

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EULAR – a year in review 2018

One strategy, a learning management system, five recommendations, 12 campaign sponsorships and a first – and a tenth – anniversary

The European League Against Rheumatism, EULAR, is celebrating a year of achievement in rheumatology in 2018. EULAR launched its new five-year strategy as well as the EULAR School learning management system. It also published five recommendations, sponsored twelve countries in Europe to launch the EULAR Campaign, “Don’t Delay, Connect Today” at local level – and commemorated the first anniversary of the campaign with a dedicated press conference.…

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Fit for Work UK Coalition closes

After a decade of campaigning, the Fit for Work Coalition closed at the end of 2018, having succeeded in securing greater recognition of the importance of good work as a health outcome for people living with long-term conditions.

The Fit for Work UK Coalition’s website remains live so you can still read the policy documents and reports that the Coalition produced: www.fitforworkuk.com/resources.

A blog post from the Work Foundation celebrating the Coalition’s achievements is available, together with a timeline of important milestones in public policy relating to musculoskeletal health and work.…

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Developments from the RCN Rheumatology Forum strategy meetings

During the last 12 months, the RCN Rheumatology Forum (RCNRF) has held two strategy meetings: one on 20 March 2018 and (a self-funded one) on the 28 November 2019, during which the following items were discussed and agreed.

Review of RCNRF publication:

The agreed projects for 2019/2020 include review of:

  • 2017 (4th edition) of the RCN Biologics guidance document for Rheumatology Practitioners – “Assessing, managing and monitoring Biologic therapies for Inflammatory Arthritis”
  • 2016 (3rd edition) of the RCN Administration of subcutaneous Methotrexate guidance document.


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RCN Rheumatology Forum workshop

The RCN Rheumatology Forum will hold their annual Rheumatology Nursing Workshop in London at the RCN HQ, on 28 June 2019.

Title and topics:
“RCN Rheumatology Nursing Workshop: Advances, innovations and challenges in rheumatology nursing”

20 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, London, W1G 0R
10:30 – 15:15

Are you an experienced or aspiring rheumatology nurse specialist, wanting to stay ahead of the curve? This clinically focused workshop is an opportunity to get the latest updates and developments to advance professional practice and deliver excellent patient care.…

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Guest blog: Keep on personalising care

by Sarah Duncan, Head of Clinical Policy, NHS England

An interview on the news recently about stem cell research into cartilage replacement for osteoarthritis, made me reflect on the phenomenal pace of change and progress in the relatively short time of my career. As a new physiotherapist in the mid-1980s we used short wave diathermy; long flexible heated tubes wrapped around a patient’s knees, to help with the pain of arthritis. Although patients really enjoyed the heat, it made little difference to their ongoing pain and mobility.…

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Versus Arthritis gives evidence to a Lords Committee about the social care needs of people with arthritis

Tracey Loftis, Head of Policy and Public Affairs Versus Arthritis, attended the Lords Economic Affairs Committee on Tuesday 4 December 2018 to talk about social care and the needs of people with arthritis, alongside colleagues from Mencap and the Alzheimer’s Society. 

In a wide-ranging session, Tracey highlighted Versus Arthritis’ research on aids and adaptations, the positive impact they have on the lives of people with arthritis and the challenges people still experience when trying to access them. Members of the Committee were particularly struck by the numbers of people affected by musculoskeletal conditions and the massive impact arthritis has on their lives. …

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