Author: Garreth

SMILE-RA from NRAS

Working closely with health professionals and people living with RA, NRAS has created SMILE-RA- a platform to support people with self-management of their RA. With an intuitive interface, the modules can be selected which are of interest and relevance.

The modules available are the following:

  • Foundation
  • Newly Diagnosed
  • Meet the Team
  • Managing pain and Flares

New modules will continue to be added as they are developed. Visit nras.org.uk/selfmanagement for more information!

Hear from NRAS National Patient Champion, Ailsa Bosworth MBE, … Read this article

NOA Annual members’ conference a success

The 2021 NOA Annual Members’ Conference held on 20 October was an opportunity for staff representing NOA member organisations, patient representatives and NOA partners from across the country to share achievements, address shared challenges and discuss what’s in store for orthopaedics in the future.

Visit the NOA website here to find out more about the day, which featured a presentation from ARMA CEO, Sue Brown.

RCPod foot arthritis patient resources

In collaboration with a number of partners the Royal College of Podiatry has developed a number of resources for people who suffer with arthritis in their feet. The main resource is available through the web page and can be accessible in over 100 languages. There are also favourable downloads in leaflet form for those wishing to pass the information on.

Please visit rcpod.org.uk/patient-information/arthritis for further information.

Arthritis Action’s World Arthritis Day campaign

To mark World Arthritis Day on 12th October, Arthritis Action ran a week-long campaign on social channels to raise awareness of arthritis and highlight the impact a year living with the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people living with long-term pain conditions, like arthritis. This included the launch of a new video, where Arthritis Action members and volunteers Leigh Walmsley and Lucy Morley-Williams share their inspiring stories of living with arthritis during a difficult year marked by the COVID-19 … Read this article

Versus Arthritis Core Skills webinars and courses

Versus Arthritis is running several webinars in the coming months:

Versus Arthritis MSK bitesize webinar
Wednesday 8 December 1-4pm

During this webinar the trainer will take you on a rapid run through of 10 MSK topics that present frequently in primary care. £55 / £50 for members of the Versus Arthritis professional network.

Versus Arthritis Chronic pain and the NICE guidelines webinar
Thursday 13 January 6-8pm

Managing chronic pain can be one of the most difficult aspects of primary care … Read this article

Edgar Stene Prize 2022 competition

EULAR bannerThe late Edgar Stene, who had severe ankylosing spondylitis, was a great promoter of co-operation between doctors, patients and community workers. The EULAR Edgar Stene Prize Competition runs yearly in his memory and honour. First prize is EUR 1,000 and the winner will be invited to attend the EULAR Congress in 2022. Second prize is EUR 700 and third prize is EUR 300.

The prize will be awarded next year to the winning essay on the topic:

“How treating my

… Read this article

Patiently Waiting

Independent Age, a charity for those in later life, has launched a new report titled ‘Patiently waiting: Older people’s experiences of waiting for surgery’. The report highlights the challenges for older people in England waiting for surgical procedures, and the impact waiting has on their mental, emotional and physical health. It also features what older people would like in terms of support and information as they wait for surgery.

Waiting times for treatment have been increasing over the … Read this article

Panorama NHS: Wait or Pay

The number of people waiting for hospital treatment in England has hit a record high of 5.61 million, as the NHS struggles to clear the growing backlog of cases caused by COVID-19. In a BBC Panorama programme on 27 September, Victoria Derbyshire met some of those on the waiting list and heard about the profound effects it is having on their lives.

Watch the programme

 

Building back inclusively

NHS reportThe NHS Confederation has published a briefing on Building back inclusively: Radical approaches to tackling the elective backlog.

There is evidence suggesting that waiting lists have grown more rapidly in more deprived areas during the pandemic. There are good reasons to believe that the current approach to elective care, whereby patients are treated in the order they present for care, exacerbates inequalities and worsens health outcomes. The briefing sets out a package of measures, including the politically uncomfortable step … Read this article

Collaboration is for life

This month sees Bone and Joint Week and I am looking forward to cutting the ribbon at our virtual launch event and declaring the week open. It’s a week of celebration of the importance of musculoskeletal health and its role in enabling us to live independent healthy lives. It’s a chance of all of us to come together and celebrate the role we play in promoting good MSK health and support for those with MSK conditions. All of us, those … Read this article