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ARMA Newsletter July 2025
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CEO blog July 2025
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by Adrian Bradley, CEO ARMA
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Welcome to the latest ARMA newsletter.
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My first month has flown by. I have been delighted to meet many members, partners and stakeholders and to listen to your hopes, ambitions and concerns. I will continue to be in listening mode as we navigate our way towards creating our strategy for 2026 and beyond.
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Several people have said to me how difficult it must be to start at such a time of change. It was forever thus. The fact that my third week saw the publication of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England is good fortune in my eyes. This is a pivotal moment. It presents an opportunity to reflect on where MSK sits in the policy agenda and to re-assess how we influence change.
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ARMA welcomes the 10 Year Health Plan and calls for a national MSK strategy to unlock its full potential
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The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) welcomes the publication of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England and its clear commitment to tackling widening health inequalities and focusing on healthy life expectancy. We are pleased to see many of the themes and recommendations from ARMA’s Act Now report reflected in the Plan, including a commitment to listening to the voice of patients and directing investment towards communities with entrenched health disparities.
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The Plan’s ambition to refocus the NHS around prevention marks a positive and necessary step forward. For the more than 20 million people in the UK living with MSK conditions, this shift must translate into quality, tailored, supported self-management to help individuals live healthier, more independent lives for longer.
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We support action to reduce waiting times for both diagnosis and treatment of MSK conditions. Timely access to care is essential, as early intervention can prevent conditions from worsening and help avoid the need for more invasive treatments. This focus on tackling delays is a welcome step toward achieving better outcomes and improving the quality of life for everyone living with MSK conditions.
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We particularly welcome the Plan’s focus on delivering more care in community settings, an important step for the many people with MSK conditions who are currently waiting too long for the support they need. Progress through initiatives such as the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is encouraging, but further action and investment is needed.
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Community based MSK services play a vital role in supporting people to manage long-term conditions, yet they have long been underfunded. As demand continues to grow, these services must be strengthened and properly resourced to expand their impact and reach more people effectively. The proposed neighbourhood health centres can and must be places where millions of people experience high quality, co-ordinated, easily accessible, personalised care for their MSK condition.
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To deliver on the ambitions of the Plan, we urge the Government to recognise MSK as a priority area, with clear national leadership and resources. MSK conditions are one of the leading causes of disability, long-term absence from work, and demand on both health and care services - yet too often, they are overlooked.
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While the 10 Year Plan sets out important principles and welcome ambitions, its condition-agnostic approach risks missing the unique challenges and opportunities that MSK presents. A dedicated national MSK strategy and service framework is urgently needed to complement the Plan, ensuring MSK services are prioritised, integrated, and effectively delivered across the country.
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As the NHS works to implement the Plan’s three key shifts, a national MSK strategy would be instrumental in driving this transformation. This is a pivotal moment. We stand on the cusp of a new era for MSK care, and we must seize this opportunity to deliver meaningful change for MSK health.
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The work now begins to ensure that the 10 Year Health Plan is truly transformative for the 20 million people living with MSK conditions.
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ARMA will now take time to carefully review the details of the Plan, working closely with our members to understand its implications and explore the opportunities it presents. We look forward to turning ambition into action and helping make this plan a success for MSK patients across the country.
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Community of Practice meeting - 5 August 2025
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MSK Health Inequalities Community of Practice Meeting
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Are you working to reduce inequalities in MSK health? Would you welcome a chance to connect with others tackling the same challenges?
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Take a break and join us online for our next lunchtime meet-up.
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Tuesday 5 August 2025
12:30pm – 1:30pm
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ARMA’s MSK Health Inequalities Community of Practice is a welcoming space for anyone committed to improving MSK health equity. Whether you're just starting out or already involved in local projects, this monthly session is a great way to:
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- Hear short presentations on key issues and innovative approaches
- Take part in small group discussions to share ideas and experiences
- Build supportive connections with others facing similar challenges
Why join?
This informal, interactive hour is perfect for picking up fresh ideas, finding practical solutions, and simply feeling less alone in the work.
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Who is it for?
Anyone involved in reducing MSK health inequalities — from clinicians and service leads to commissioners and community workers. If this work matters to you, you are welcome!
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Osteoporosis APPG launches patient experience survey
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Have you ever felt unsure who to speak to about your bone health? Or wished your osteoporosis care was better joined up?
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The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Osteoporosis and Bone Health – a cross-party group in Parliament supported by the Royal Osteoporosis Society – is running a new inquiry into how people with osteoporosis are supported and empowered throughout their care. The voice of people with lived experience is essential to informing this work.
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The APPG is asking people affected by osteoporosis to complete a short survey about their experience of care.
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iO Convention 2025: early-bird tickets on sale!
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The Institute of Osteopathy is excited to share the news that early-bird tickets are now available for the iO Convention 2025, the flagship event for osteopaths and allied health professionals.
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Hosted in partnership with the National Council for Osteopathic Research and UCO School of Osteopathy, Health Sciences University, this year’s Convention promises inspiring keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, cutting-edge research, and invaluable networking opportunities.
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Friday 21 - Saturday 22 November 2025
Secure your place at a discounted rate while early-bird prices last.
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Versus Arthritis webinars: MSK Bitesize
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MSK Bitesize is a 3-hour webinar on MSK conditions that can present in primary care and the role of physical activity in preventing and managing MSK conditions. Topics include inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout and more.
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Core Skills in MSK Care - Glasgow
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Core Skills is a practical programme designed to equip primary healthcare professionals with the confidence and expertise to accurately diagnose and manage MSK conditions. This training from Versus Arthritis provides delegates a supportive environment to develop confidence and skills in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with MSK conditions.
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GIRFT webinar: Delivering cMSK Community Appointment Days
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If you were not able to join the GIRFT webinar on 10th July 2025, you can now catch up by watching the recording online.
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The session explores the progress of the GIRFT MSK community programme and focuses on the delivery of Community Appointment Days (CADs), a model of care designed to support people in managing their health through collaborative conversations rather than traditional consultations.
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You’ll also hear from speakers sharing their real-world experiences of delivering CADs, along with valuable insights and lessons learned.
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ARMA Calendar
| 23 July 2025 |
VA, ORUK and Kennedy Trust Research Facilitation Fund closes |
| 5 August 2025, 12:30pm – 1:30pm |
ARMA MSK Health Inequalities Community of Practice meeting |
| 2 Sept 2025 |
General registration closes for BOA Annual Congress 2025 |
| 11 Sept 2025 |
Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care in-person workshop, Glasgow |
| 16–19 Sept 2025 |
BOA Annual Congress ‘Preventing Harm & Transforming Lives’ Liverpool |
| 26-28 Sept 2025 |
CCAA Family Support weekend, Hollowford, Peak District |
| 30 Sept 2025 |
Fibromyalgia Sandpit, Central London |
| 11 Oct 2025 |
SOMM Spinal Manual Therapy course, Liverpool |
| 23 Oct 2025, 6-9pm |
Versus Arthritis MSK Bitesize online |
| 4 Nov 2025 |
Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care in-person workshop, Sheffield |
| 21-22nd Nov 2025 |
iO Convention 2025, St Paul’s, London |
| 1-2 Dec 2025 |
AI in Orthopaedics and MSK Conference, London |
| 10 Dec 2025, 6-9pm |
Versus Arthritis MSK Bitesize online |
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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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