Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
Influencing policy and care together for best lifelong musculoskeletal health
The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) run free online monthly meetups, where people with axial SpA can meet others with the same condition to share advice and get support.
The topics vary each month and focus on practical ways to support self-management, alongside medical care. The meetups are part of the ‘Your SpAce’ programme and healthcare professionals can order free promotional materials to easily signpost their patients.
We Are Undefeatable has launched the report from Big Talk, a public consultation which went live last year. Read more about their report "Bridging the gap: understanding how to support people with long term health conditions to become more physically active".
The report covers:
The report outlines the actions We Are Undefeatable is already taking in response to these insights.…
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NHS England has appointed Dr Lesley Kay as the National Clinical Director (NCD) for Musculoskeletal.
Lesley brings a wealth of experience to the NCD role as a Consultant rheumatologist at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS FT, former Chair of the British Society for Rheumatology Clinical Affairs Committee and as the former GIRFT Clinical Lead for Rheumatology.
Outgoing NCD Andy Bennett will be taking on a new role with GIRFT as Clinical Advisor focussing on community MSK services.
We wish them both the very best of luck and look forward to continuing to work with them closely in their new roles.
Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has received an award of over £750,000 from the Government to support its research programme. This funding will enable the charity to increase support for early-career clinical researchers and academic scientists interested in building and expanding their MSK research portfolio.
ORUK supports early-career researchers working on a wide range of MSK-related research projects across the UK and has invested £13.59m in the past two decades on research projects that expand knowledge, improve patient outcomes and pioneer new forms of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management.…
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This month sees the latest tour of a musculoskeletal themed educational show, co-funded by Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), that introduces young people to biomechanics and the importance of bone, joint and muscle health. The Research and Test Lab (RATLab) tour uses a combination of science, hi-tech projections and puppetry devised by theatre company Green Ginger. During a visit to RATLab, children interact with a team of engaging characters – mostly rats, dogs and pigs – who use engineering to solve everyday problems.…
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Applications are open for ORUK research fellowships in partnership with the BOA, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, British Scoliosis Society (BSS) and The British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS).
Two BOA/ORUK fellowships of up to £65k are available for a project in any area of orthopaedics including basic science, diagnosis, treatment, surgical technology, AI, logistics or audit. The research can be self-contained or part of a wider research programme and should be integral to the applicant pursuing a higher degree.…
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Talk to an artificial intelligence-powered expert about your pain.
A free interactive resource developed using cutting-edge technology to help millions living with persistent pain has been launched by Teesside University.
Academics from Teesside University’s Centre for Rehabilitation worked alongside artificial intelligence (AI) specialist StoryFile to develop a fully interactive digital version of internationally renowned pain management expert Pete Moore.
Described by StoryFile as a ‘conversational video’, AI Pete can interact with viewers, answer questions about persistent pain and how it can be managed, and share his first-hand experiences of living with it.…
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There have been a number of publications and toolkits on health inequalities published in recent weeks. These are not MSK-specific but will include useful information, data and resources for those working in MSK.
Illustrating the relationship between poverty and NHS services is a long read from the Kings Fund.
Health inequalities in 2040
Current and projected patterns of illness by deprivation in England.
The Health Foundation lists chronic pain as one of the 4 conditions projected to increase at a faster rate in more deprived areas.…
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Are you looking for a qualification that demonstrates your knowledge and clinical application knowledge in athlete and team care?
Sport and Exercise Medicine, including the skills and research coming from Team Care or Sport Medicine has a large-scale application for public health and the NHS. Team Care involves the medical care of injury and illness in sport and exercise. It requires accurate diagnoses, careful clinical examination, experience and knowledge of sport and exercise specific movement patterns.
The Diploma in Team care sets the standard for team care knowledge across sport and exercise medicine.…
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£6 million of research funding to improve the lives of people living with musculoskeletal conditions.
The Nuffield Foundation, in partnership with Versus Arthritis, has announced £6 million for new research funding to improve the well-being of people living with musculoskeletal conditions in the UK, with a focus outside clinical settings. Applications for the Oliver Bird Fund can consider any stage in the life course; those challenging ethnic, income, gender and other inequalities are particularly welcome, and the Foundation encourages applications from teams across all four UK nations.…
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