Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
Influencing policy and care together for best lifelong musculoskeletal health
by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA
We have just passed the one year anniversary of the publication of our Act Now report on MSK health inequalities. A good time to evaluate the success of the project. It’s clear that we have made an impact. That people are acting on the key messages and recommendations. It is also clear just how far we still have to go.
When we started the project we were clear that this was not about producing a report.…
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New Fracture Liaison Services programme launching in 2025
The ROS is increasing resources for the Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) rollout in 2025. The Society will play an ambitious, pro-active role in the rollout of FLS in England. This reflects the critical importance of these secondary prevention services in closing the care gap. The ROS wants to achieve this change while continuing to campaign for 100% coverage of FLS across all four UK nations.
The FLS programme will make the most meaningful difference for patients and for healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in the field.…
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JIA Wedi’i Egluro, bellach ar gael yn Gymraegkar!
NRAS has now made available their JIA Explained booklet as a free download in Welsh – thanks to the support from the Millenium Stadium Trust and the translation work by The Big Word. This newly translated resource is part of a wider project to make NRAS publications as inclusive and accessible as possible. As a national charity, being inclusive of all UK nations is an important part of this work. If you are a young person in Wales living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or their parent, understanding the condition can feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be.…
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Are you working to tackle inequalities in musculoskeletal health? Do you want to connect with others who are facing the same challenges and are finding solutions?
Then ARMA’s community of practice is for you.
The next meeting will be 5 August 2025, 12.30 – 1.30pm
How it works:
Join us for monthly interactive Zoom sessions, where we bring together everyone committed to reducing MSK health inequalities. Each session includes:
✅ Presentations on key issues and innovative approaches
✅ Lively discussions in small groups to share experiences and strategies
✅ Peer support from others facing similar challenges
Who Should Join?…
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Bespoke self-management and peer support for people in England recently diagnosed with axial SpA
NASS is running free online sessions for people in England recently diagnosed with axial SpA.
As part of the sign-up process, attendees select bespoke support from NASS, such as a chat with someone on the Helpline, resources sent in the post, and information about exercising safely.
For more information, visit the NASS website.
If you’d like free postcards to invite your patients, you can order guides to living with axial spa.…
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Inflammatory Arthritis UK (IAUK) is a new patient-led charity run by volunteers living with inflammatory arthritis. Their vision and mission centres on inspiring resilience and empowering lives for anyone of any age living with inflammatory arthritis. They will be providing people with the support, guidance and resources they need to take control of lives and navigate uncertain times with confidence and resilience.
“Great idea for a charity, I have found attitude and resilience to have been the most important things so far and have certainly been a on a massive journey the last couple of years with it (IA)”.…
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by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA
It was fantastic to see the launch in December of a new GIRFT programme to support reduction in community MSK waiting times. A funded programme of activity on MSK to work with 17 integrated care systems (ICSs) with the highest waiting lists for elective community MSK services. The focus is to reduce waiting times for a community MSK appointment; to improve access to MSK treatment and support people back to work.
January saw the launch of the elective care recovery plan, focused on getting us back to meeting the target of 92% of waits for planned hospital treatment being no more than 18 weeks.…
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Webinar: Allied Health Professions for the Armed Force Community
On 4 February 2025, the iO will be showcasing a career as an osteopath, and explaining how your transferable skills and values lend themselves to this long-term sustainable career. The webinar includes the opportunity to watch an osteopath in action and hear from the NHSE AHP Programme Lead, Paul Chapman MCSP DSA (csp), as well as The Institute of Osteopathy, university admissions; listen to lived experience from former armed forces members that are now clinicians and military spouses.…
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Diploma in Team CareThe Diploma in Team Care will set the standard for team care knowledge across sport and exercise medicine.
Applications open now. Exam sitting: 15th April 2025
The Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine sets the standard for MSK knowledge across the entire breadth of community care.
Applications open now. Exam sitting: 20th May 2025
The National Orthopaedic Alliance has announced the long-list for the 2025 NOA Excellence in Orthopaedics Awards. With over 60 entries received from NOA member organisations across four categories, the awards are set to spotlight the achievements within the alliance’s network of orthopaedic providers. The next stage of the awards process involves the judges selecting finalists for each category, with the list published in February. Winners will be announced during the NOA Annual Members’ Conference on 15 May 2025.
