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ARMA Newsletter April 2025
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Act Now one year on
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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 we still have to go.
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When we started the project we were clear that this was not about producing a report. It was about driving action.
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Would you like to be an ARMA Trustee?
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Nominations are now open for election to the ARMA Trustee Board. The deadline is Friday 23 May 2025. Trustees are responsible for the governance, strategy and management of the charity. They contribute to the strategic development of the organisation and the delivery of its services, taking part in Board meetings and in other activities between meetings as required.
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To stand for election, a candidate must be nominated by an ARMA member organisation with which they have a connection. We welcome people with either lived or learned experience of MSK. Staff and existing trustees are happy to discuss the role with anyone who wants to find out more.
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New ARMA Report - Analysis of ICBs’ Joint Forward Plans
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ARMA has carried out analysis of all Integrated Care Boards' (ICBs) Joint Forward Plans and published the findings in a new report which highlights critical gaps and opportunities to improve MSK and chronic pain services.
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MSK conditions are a major driver of long-term disability, one of the two leading causes of people being unable to work due to ill health and their impact on individuals, the NHS and the economy is significant. Yet key findings of the report show that too many ICBs are still giving insufficient attention to MSK and chronic pain.
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- One in three ICBs make no meaningful reference to MSK, rheumatology or orthopaedics in their plans.
- Only one in five ICBs is taking a strategic system wide approach to delivery of MSK.
- Only one in five have any stated outcomes for the services they commission and only one in six have a target.
- Two thirds of ICBs make no meaningful reference to chronic pain services in their Joint Forward Plan and only one in six have any indication of the outcomes they expect those services to deliver.
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The report recommends that all ICBs should ensure that a strategic, cross system approach is taken to delivering and improving MSK services, with clear outcomes for the services they commission.
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By investing in well-integrated, outcome-driven MSK and pain management services, ICBs can improve individual health, enhance system efficiency, and support economic productivity.
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Join the MSK Health inequalities community of practice
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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?
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Then ARMA’s community of practice is for you.
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The first meeting will be on 6 May 2025, 12.30 - 1.30pm
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How it works:
Join us for monthly interactive Zoom sessions, where we bring together everyone committed to reducing MSK health inequalities. Each session includes:
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✅ Presentations on key issues and innovative approaches
✅ Lively discussions in small groups to share experiences and strategies
✅ Peer support from others facing similar challenges
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Who Should Join?
This community is for anyone working to reduce MSK health inequalities. If you're looking for collaboration, fresh ideas, and mutual support, you’ll find them here.
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You will be registered for the series and will receive reminders each month. If you don’t receive a confirmation email on registration you may need to check your spam filter, contact your IT department or use a different email address to register.
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Be part of a growing movement to create fairer MSK health outcomes. Join today!
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BOA Annual Congress - Early bird registration now open
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The next BOA Annual Congress with the theme of ‘Preventing Harm & Transforming Lives’ is taking place in Liverpool on 16th - 19th September 2025.
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BOA Congress Registration is now opens to both members and non-members. BOA members can register with a 100% discount on the ticket fee during the early bird registration period.
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Psoriasis Association Conference 2025 now CPD certified
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The Psoriasis Association is delighted to share that the ‘Right Treatment: Right Time' Annual Meeting 2025 has received CPD certification, meaning CPD points are available for attendees.
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This is great news for healthcare professionals, academics or those who are interested in continuing professional development on a personal level.
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Registration for NOA Annual Conference closes on 1st May
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The NOA Conference and Awards takes place on 15 May 2025 at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre (BCEC). NOA members can register here.
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The CPD accredited NOA Conference - which is free to attend for NOA members - brings together clinicians and healthcare professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds within orthopaedics.
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NRAS: Launching our Welsh Survey results
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In Autumn 2024, NRAS conducted a Survey of people with Inflammatory Arthritis (IA) across Wales, collecting data about the patient experience of accessing rheumatology services in 2024.
NRAS launched the report on 22nd April 2025 when Peter Foxton, CEO of NRAS, hosted a live webinar discussing the results together with a discussion of how we can improve the patient experience for people living with Inflammatory Arthritis in Wales.
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Supported self-management webinars
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NRAS invites healthcare professionals to exclusive webinars on supported self-management.
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The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is pleased to announce two upcoming webinars designed to empower healthcare professionals with tools and insights for supported self-management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). These webinars will provide an overview of NRAS’s key services and resources, aimed at enhancing patient care and professional practice.
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Joint Venture gathering - save the date
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Earlier this year, Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) launched the Joint Venture, MSK Innovation Network - a community of people and institutions interested in innovation within MSK health including innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors. The aim is to build and nurture an engaged community that provides a forum for debate, a force for positive change (especially in tackling systemic barriers to innovation) and an incubator of new ideas and tangible solutions.
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The next Joint Venture gathering will take place in Central London on the afternoon and early evening of 24th June 2025. Anyone interested in attending the event should contact ORUK at events@oruk.org.
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ORUK joins Obesity Health Alliance
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The links between poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health and obesity are well documented. 70% of people experiencing poor MSK health are overweight or obese, and obesity is an important and potentially modifiable risk factor in the onset and progression of MSK conditions. This is why we are Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) is delighted to be joining the Obesity Health Alliance; a coalition of over 60 organisations working together to reduce obesity by influencing Government policy.
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The goal of the Obesity Health Alliance is to prevent obesity-related ill-health by supporting evidence-based population level policies...
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SOMM joins MACP as Clinical Interest Group
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...and Prepares to Present at 2025 Study Day
SOMM is excited to share the news that they have officially become a Clinical Interest Group for the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP).
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As part of this new collaboration, SOMM has been invited to present at the upcoming MACP 2025 Study Day, themed “Challenging Concepts in MSK”. The event will be held on Saturday 7th June 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, at The Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP.
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Collaboration produces IHP / IEP templates
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The extent to which arthritis affects everyday life at school will vary from child to child and from day to day. Communication between parents, teachers and the child is very important, and building a good relationship with the school and a child's teacher is key. This is probably the first time the teacher will have come across a child with arthritis.
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A recent collaborative piece of work between CCAA, Versus Arthritis and JIA@NRAS has resulted in resources to help with this.
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Versus Arthritis upcoming courses
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Core Skills Workshop (includes MSK Bitesize)
Tuesday 10th June 2025, 9am-5pm,
Lift Islington, 45 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PW (in-person) £220
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MSK Bitesize
Thursday 17th July 2025, 6-9pm (online)
£45
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iO Convention 2025: Save the date
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The Institute of Osteopathy is hosting Convention 2025 on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November 2025 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, St Paul’s, London.
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This flagship, in-person event is a must-attend for osteopaths and other healthcare professionals.
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ARMA Calendar
| 30 April 2025, 6-9pm |
Versus Arthritis webinar: MSK Bitesize |
| 1 May 2025, 12.30pm |
First meeting of ARMA’s MSK Health inequalities community of practice |
| 2 May 2025 |
Early bird 20% discount ends Patient Voices in Rheumatology |
| 15 May 2025 |
NOA Annual Members' Conference, Birmingham |
| 19 May 2025, 12pm |
NRAS Supported Self-Management webinar for healthcare professionals |
| 20 May 2025 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine exam |
| 23 May 2025 |
NRAS Wear Purple for JIA |
| 7 June 2025, 9am |
Challenging Concepts in MSK: MACP Study Day, Birmingham |
| 10 June 2025, 9am-5pm |
Versus Arthritis Core Skills Workshop (includes MSK Bitesize) |
| 24 June 2025 |
ORUK Joint Venture, MSK Innovation Network gathering, London |
| 27 June 2025 |
Patient Voices in Rheumatology (re-scheduled) |
| 27-29 June 2025 |
CCAA Family Support weekend, Hooke Court, Dorset |
| 28 June 2025 |
Psoriasis Association Right Treatment: Right Time Annual Conference |
| 29 June 2025 |
Early bird member registration closes for BOA Annual Congress 2025 |
| 7 July 2025, 1pm |
NRAS Supported Self-Management webinar for healthcare professionals |
| 17 July 2025, 6-9pm |
Versus Arthritis MSK Bitesize online |
| 2 Sept 2025 |
General registration closes for BOA Annual Congress 2025 |
| 16–19 Sept 2025 |
BOA Annual Congress ‘Preventing Harm & Transforming Lives’ Liverpool |
| 26-28 Sept 2025 |
CCAA Family Support weekend, Hollowford, Peak District |
| 21-22nd Nov 2025 |
iO Convention 2025, St Paul’s, London |
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We know that many people value our newsletter, webinars and the fact that we provide a voice for MSK health. We are increasingly asked: given that our membership is made up of organisations, how can an individual support ARMA? For this reason, we have set up a new supporter scheme.
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