The Campaign for orthopaedics surgery ‘goes’ to Parliament

On Monday 23 November 2020 the campaign to prioritise extra capacity in orthopaedics surgery ‘went’ to Parliament in the form of a roundtable event. The virtual roundtable brought together a wider range of stakeholders including representatives of charities, surgeons, clinicians and industry to make the case in Parliament as to why orthopaedics should be a priority for the NHS over the next few years.

The event was hosted by Dr James Davies MP – a GP, member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee – and a Conservative MP for the Vale of Clwyd in North Wales.…

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Stay alert to stay safe

PHE has updated their public messaging to convey the latest advice from the Government regarding coronavirus. The new posters display the key messages for the ‘Stay Alert’ phase, containing official guidance relating to social distancing in specific settings:

  • At home
  • Travelling to work
  • At work
  • Whilst exercising
  • Whilst shopping
  • In transport hubs (in train stations, underground stations etc.)

Other messaging includes:

  • Detailed handwashing guidance
  • Hand hygiene
  • ‘R’ rate

Here are the latest posters and imagery designed for dissemination on Social media.…

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Physical Activity publications

Readers of this newsletter will all be aware that physical activity is essential for musculoskeletal health. Every month we seem to report new publications on the subject. This month is no exception: two recent publications highlight the challenges and propose some solutions.

Researchers have studied adolescents’ activity levels in 146 countries and found that more than 80% are not meeting the recommended levels of activity. In the UK in 2016, more than 85% of girls were not active enough, and neither were almost 75% of boys.…

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iO’s Osteopathy For Health

Harnessing the power of social media to promote public health

The Institute of Osteopathy (iO) has launched a new community Facebook page ‘Osteopathy for Health’ with the aim to provide the public with useful health advice and tips to support positive lifestyle behaviours.

The iO first launched ‘Osteopathy for Health’ as web-based information, supported by a series of advice leaflets that could be distributed by osteopaths and other healthcare practitioners. The project has now evolved to utilise the power of social media to spread health and lifestyle messages on exercise, diet, getting older, sleep, and mental health on a dedicated Facebook page ‘Osteopathy for Health’.…

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NASS delivers inaugural meeting of the first ever APPG on AS

Last week saw a momentous event for people living with axial SpA (AS) in the UK, when NASS held the inaugural meeting of the first ever all-party parliamentary group (APPG) specifically for Axial Spondyloarthritis. Parliamentarians, policy makers, clinicians, healthcare commissioners and NASS members and staff came together to identify and address concerns about AS care.

You can read NASS CEO Dr Dale Webb’s reflections on the meeting and more of what’s to come from NASS’ Every Patient, Every Time campaign.

Public Health letter

In early February, ARMA was one of 55 signatories to an open letter published in The Times newspaper from the Association of Directors of Public Health. The letter argued that public health should be a priority in the Spending Review.

ADPH President Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy said:

“Tackling the root causes of ill health and creating places in which we can all be healthy is the mission of local government. If we undervalue this public health expertise within local government, the NHS Long Term Plan simply cannot be delivered.…

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Every Patient, Every Time launched by NASS in Parliament

NASS was delighted to welcome 200 guests, including 30 MPs, to a reception at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 3 December to launch their Every Patient Every Time campaign and hold their Patients’ Choice Awards.

Announcements included the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Axial Spondyloarthritis, which will oversee the implementation of the NICE Guideline and Quality Standard for Spondyloarthritis, and the Aspiring to Excellence programme which will encourage rheumatology departments around the country to share best practice and improve services in a collaborative manner.…

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CSP: It’s never too late to get stronger

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has released a short Christmas film called Never Too Late as part of their “Love Activity” campaign.

The film is a heart-warmer about a physio who helps a lonely widower regain his strength and sense of purpose so that he can return to his role playing Father Christmas at the local children’s ward. Alongside the video, a webpage includes six exercises that can help people stay strong and independent this winter.

The short film is available via the CSP webpage or on social media.

The first Versus Arthritis campaign

Monday 5 November will see the launch of the first national campaign by Versus Arthritis in their new guise and brand.

As you know well, all too often, arthritis is dismissed. It is seen as inevitable, unavoidable, insignificant and untreatable. Society shrugs it off as “just a bit of arthritis”. The new campaign aims to drive greater recognition of arthritis and related conditions across government and society.

Versus Arthritis wants to create an environment where the 10 million people with arthritis can live better – free from the pain, fatigue and isolation.…

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We need you to support ARMA in Bone and Joint Week 2018

12-20 October 2018

12-20 October is a time of important collective campaign activity for ARMA members, with Bone and Joint Week. The theme of campaign is: “Musculoskeletal conditions: The elephant in the room?

It’s highlighting that musculoskeletal conditions of the bones, joints and muscles are a big problem in the UK; with over 17 million people living with a musculoskeletal condition, more people suffer with disability from musculoskeletal conditions than anything else.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage policy and decision makers to shift mindset and take action to champion good musculoskeletal health of the bones, joints and muscles throughout life.…

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