Video ‘What is AS’ to increase awareness and understanding

World AS Day was on Saturday 6 May. Every year, our aim on the day is to increase awareness and understanding of AS.

We produced a short video called ‘What is AS’ explaining the condition and how it affects people and asked people to share it on social media. We were delighted to have a reach of more than 55,000 on Facebook alone. This is the first in a series of videos.

Click here to open https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfoivx6Sgtc

 

We also worked with the BMJ this month to produce an infographic of the NICE Spondyloarthritis Guideline.…

Read more of this article

New models of MSK and Work & Health MSK webinars

We’ve just added to the ARMA website two links to recent webinar presentations: the “New models of MSK Masterclass”, presented by Christian Verrinder and Giles Hazan; and the “Work & Health MSK webinar,” lead by Tony Woolf in participation with ARUK and BSR.

Dr Christian Verrinder and Dr Giles Hazan share aspects of their experience to date in MSK commissioning, including their thoughts on: process, structure, design, procurement, implementation and review. Their webinar explores how we can build on current service provision for people with MSK conditions in order to identify how and where current services and support can be improved and reflects how this new programme of work has influenced the commissioning of MSK services.…

Read more of this article

Transport for London’s ‘please offer me a seat’ badge and card

Transport for London (TfL) is launching the ‘Please offer me a seat’ scheme for people who find it difficult to stand when using public transport. The badge and accompanying card were created following requests from customers who struggle to get a seat because their need is not immediately apparent to other travellers. The badge and card remove the awkwardness of customers having to explain their need for a seat to others.

Last autumn, TFL held a six week trial with 1,200 people to test the new badge and card.…

Read more of this article

HUG/ARMA Stoke Meeting

Geoffrey Lawton, Stoke ARMA group chair, invites you to:

The HUG/ARMA group meeting on 19th May 2017

at 1pm, in the Lecture room of

Haywood Hospital, Burslem, Stoke on Trent ST6 7AG

 

Refreshments will be provided from 12:45pm and drinks during the meeting.

A wide range of topics are on the agenda including presentations on all aspects of Arthritis-related treatments.

Access to Surgery

Restrictions on access to surgery have been in the news again with this Observer article on smokers and obese patients waiting longer for surgery such as hip and knee replacements. In April, the Kings Fund published a report on understanding NHS Financial pressures and what this means for patients. Whereas genito-urinary medicine and district nursing services have seen an impact on access to, and quality of, their services, neonatal and elective hip replacement services were not affected to the same extent by the same pressures.…

Read more of this article

New ‘Medicines in Rheumatoid Arthritis’ booklet by NRAS

NRAS is delighted to announce the launch of a new publication: ‘Medicines in Rheumatoid Arthritis‘.

It is a comprehensive guide to all medicines used in the treatment of RA, including NSAIDs, Steroids, DMARDs, Biologics and Biosimilars. Order your copy today by emailing enquiries@nras.org.uk

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week pack

Our RA Awareness week pack is available now! Order your pack today which includes:

  • our ‘Behind The Smile’ pop art poster (A4)
  • Smiley lips, conveniently cut out so that you can take your #behindthesmile photo.


Read more of this article

Encouraging early intervention to support good work and a healthy workforce

Guest Blog by Lesley Giles, Director, Work Foundation

I am delighted to contribute to this edition of the Newsletter in my new role as Director at the Work Foundation. I think after 6 months I can probably just about still call myself new, not least as time has flown by in a whirlwind. It’s one of those roles that really is a great privilege to do. What is there not to like? I have the opportunity to research and promote something I am passionate about – the importance of good work!…

Read more of this article

EULAR e-breakthrough, April 2017

In April 2017, EULAR released Issue 15 of their eBreakthrough magazine.

This edition of News from the Standing Committee of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe includes:

  • An introduction to the new EULAR Executive Director, Dr Julia Rautenstrauch;
  • “Looking to the future” by Dieter Wiek, PARE Chairperson;
  • a report on online self-management in Ireland;
  • What do patients think about their care?


Click here to open or download e-Breakthrough
via the eular.org website, in PDF format.

CEO Update, May 2017

CEO-editorial-small After the success of our first three MSK pathway events I’m pleased that planning for the next three has begun. The North West event will be in Merseyside on May 16th and is shaping up to be every bit as inspiring as the others. Two events are being planned for the South region, with the first in Exeter in July. More details should be available in our next newsletter.

I have been reading the pledge forms completed by people at the first three events and they show the commitment of people to create change in services.…

Read more of this article