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ARMA Newsletter May 2025
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Sadness and Pride
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This will be my last blog for this newsletter as I step down from the CEO role. Inevitably I’m reflecting on how things have changed in the over 8 years I’ve been in the role.
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The position of MSK in NHS England and NHS Wales is stronger. In England we now have a co-ordinated workstream under GIRFT delivering across the spectrum of MSK – children and adults, primary, secondary and community, all MSK conditions. The resource is nothing like other NHS England programmes such as diabetes or cancer. But it’s a massive increase compared to 8 years ago. Wales now has an established MSK National Network to drive forward progress.
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Celebrating one year of impact: Act Now Report on MSK Health Inequalities
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ARMA is proud to mark the one-year anniversary of the Act Now report on MSK health inequalities and deprivation.
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To celebrate this milestone, we’ve released a new Impact Report showcasing the reach and influence the original report has had over the past year.
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The Impact Report was launched at a reception held at The King's Fund in London. ARMA members and MSK professionals gathered to reflect on the progress inspired by Act Now and to look ahead at what’s next including the launch of the new MSK Inequalities Community of Practice.
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The event featured powerful and inspiring talks, including a speech from Joe Waugh, Clinical Lead of a First Contact Practitioner service. He shared how Act Now has had a positive influence and details on his local work, particularly his engagement with schools to improve pupils’ MSK health.
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There was a strong sense of momentum and shared purpose in the room. The event served not only as a celebration of what’s been achieved, but as a call for continued action on MSK inequalities.
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ARMA announces appointment of new Chief Executive
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The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Adrian Bradley as its new Chief Executive, starting mid-June.
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Adrian joins after eight and a half years as Head of Healthier Communities at the English Football League (EFL) Trust – the national charity that represents, advises and supports a network of seventy-two charities linked to professional football clubs across England and Wales. He has extensive knowledge and experience of tackling health inequalities in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.
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Adrian was involved in developing a wide-ranging portfolio of person-centred support services in non-clinical settings designed to encourage healthy choices and self-management of conditions. These included large scale health education programmes in schools, community-based testing and screening, cancer prehab and rehab, dementia support groups, mental health peer support groups, weight management programmes, frailty and falls prevention services, and an award-winning nationwide network of groups to tackle loneliness among older people.
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This followed over twenty years’ experience in the public, private and charity sectors including senior roles as Director of Strategy for an international human rights charity and at Alzheimer’s Society, where he was National Lead for Young Onset Dementia. Adrian also has lived experience of MSK disorders and is fully committed to putting patients at the heart of everything we do.
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“We are excited to welcome Adrian to the ARMA team,” said Chris Martey, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
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“Adrian brings a wealth of experience that he has gained in the public, private and charity sectors. Adrian embodies the passion and commitment needed to further our mission to support people affected by MSK conditions and to influence MSK policy across the UK. We are confident that his vision and leadership will continue to grow the reach and impact of ARMA’s work.”
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Speaking on his appointment Adrian has said:
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“I am delighted to be joining ARMA. It is an honour to be following in the footsteps of Sue Brown and I will endeavour to build on the hard work and progress that has been made by Sue and the Board over recent years. I look forward to serving our members and associate members in tackling health inequalities and improving MSK services for everyone.”
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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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ORUK launches fund for MSK start-ups
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Orthopaedic Research UK has launched this year’s Ronald Furlong Fund for startups solving unmet needs in MSK health. Named in honour of the charity’s founder, who combined a successful career as an orthopaedic surgeon with an equally successful career as an entrepreneur, the Fund offers up to £100K to UK-based startups to help accelerate innovative and commercially viable ideas.
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CCAA's local area Facebook groups
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The CCAA has a new local area Facebook group for Herefordshire. This adds to the existing groups, now covering all counties across England and Wales. Families can find their nearest CCAA local area Facebook group here. These are online support groups, run and monitored by volunteers at CCAA. They aim to allow families to connect within their local area to share the journey.
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Living Well with Arthritis: self-management event
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Thursday 19th June 2025, 6.00-7.00pm
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Arthritis Action is running its popular introduction to self-management event for those that are new to the concept. The online event will introduce and address topics such as: pain management, healthy eating & weight management, staying active, hobbies and social life, emotional wellbeing and pacing and distraction techniques.
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Devastating postcode lottery for osteoporosis medication
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The Royal Osteoporosis Society and the APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health have published a new report exposing how a “postcode lottery” in NHS prescribing leaves over 1 million women without access to vital bone-strengthening treatments. This analysis calls for unified, system-wide policy reform to ensure equitable medication pathways for all.
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More DEXA scanners roll out across England
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DEXA-scanner expansion to deliver 29,000 extra bone-density scans a year
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Following sustained engagement by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health and our fantastic ARMA supporters, DHSC has confirmed the roll-out of 13 additional DEXA scanners across England. The move is expected to create capacity for around 29,000 extra scans annually, supporting earlier diagnosis and shorter waits for patients.
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NRAS Live – RA, Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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Rheumatoid Arthritis doesn’t just affect your joints — it can impact your bones too. Tune in for an insightful conversation with Deborah Nelson, Osteoporosis Specialist Nurse at the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and Peter Foxton, CEO of NRAS on Wednesday, 28th May 2025 at 7pm.
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They will be talking about the link between RA & Osteoporosis, risk factors to watch out for, lifestyle tips for stronger bones and how osteoporosis is detected & treated.
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NRAS Exclusive Webinar on Supported Self-Management
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NRAS invites healthcare professionals to exclusive webinar on supported self-management. The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar 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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Versus Arthritis Work Adjustment Plan
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Designed to help people with arthritis address work-related barriers and self-manage their condition in work
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Versus Arthritis is aware that working with arthritis can be challenging, with a disability employment gap of 20% for those living with arthritis compared to those without arthritis. Versus Arthritis surveys and research in partnership with CMHW offered an insight into what could make a difference to work outcomes for people living with the condition.
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ARMA Calendar
| 20 May 2025 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine exam |
| 23 May 2025 |
NRAS Wear Purple for JIA |
| 28 May 2025, 7pm |
NRAS Live – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis & Bone Health |
| 7 June 2025, 9am |
Challenging Concepts in MSK: MACP Study Day, Birmingham |
| 9 June 2025 |
Applications close for ORUK ’s Ronald Furlong Fund for start-ups |
| 10 June 2025, 9am-5pm |
Versus Arthritis Core Skills Workshop (includes MSK Bitesize) |
| 14 June 2025 |
RCC 2025 Summer Conference, Birmingham |
| 19 June 2025, 6-7pm |
Arthritis Action Living Well with Arthritis: self-management event |
| 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 |
| 21-22 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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