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ARMA Newsletter March 2026
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20 Million Reasons our new strategy matters
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by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)
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Publishing a new strategy is always a moment to pause. Not just to look ahead, but to reflect on why the choices you’re making matter and why now is the right time to be ambitious.
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ARMA’s new strategy is grounded in a simple but powerful truth: there are 20 million reasons to act. Over 20 million people in the UK live with a musculoskeletal condition.
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Each one is a reason - a person with a life, a job, a family, ambitions and frustrations - whose experience of pain, mobility and independence is too often overlooked in public policy.
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This strategy sets out our ambition to change that. It reflects a growing recognition that MSK health is not a niche or trivial issue. It sits at the heart of prevention, healthy ageing, economic participation and tackling health inequalities. When MSK health is neglected, the consequences ripple across the system: people leave work early, waiting lists grow, independence is lost, and pressure mounts elsewhere in health and care.
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But this strategy is not just a diagnosis of the problem. It is a statement of intent.
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ARMA launches a decade of MSK health policy
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Policy change is essential if the UK is to improve the health of the 20 million people living with MSK conditions.
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MSK conditions are the leading cause of pain and disability and a major driver of lost independence, worklessness and pressure on health services. Yet despite their scale and impact, MSK health is still not treated as a national priority.
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A decade of better MSK health sets out ARMA’s vision for turning ambition into practical change, from prevention and early intervention to neighbourhood-based care, better use of digital tools and a stronger multidisciplinary workforce. It highlights the opportunity to improve healthy life expectancy, support people to remain in work and reduce inequalities by putting MSK health at the heart of policy and system reform.
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Improving MSK health is not just a clinical challenge. It is central to the nation’s wellbeing, productivity and ability to age well.
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This paper sets out ARMA’s priorities for making MSK health a national priority and delivering a decade of better MSK health.
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BOA Annual Congress 2026 open to abstracts
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The next BOA Annual Congress with the theme of ‘The Changing Faces of Orthopaedics’ is taking place at Olympia in London on 22nd - 24th September 2026. Abstract submissions are now open and close on Sunday 10th May 2026.
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Categories include, Education, Trauma, Hip, Knee, Developing World Orthopaedics, Medical Students, and more.
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Advancing Practice MSK MSc – Enrolment open
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The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM) is pleased to share an exciting update ahead of the new academic year.
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Since its development in 2000 in partnership with Middlesex University, the MSc in Musculoskeletal Medicine has continued to evolve. In 2018, the programme moved to Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, where it successfully ran until August 2024.
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Online axial SpA introductory session from NASS
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Do you support people in England newly diagnosed with axial SpA (including AS)?
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Introduction to axial SpA is an online session for people recently diagnosed with axial SpA in England.
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Help your patients get to grips with their condition by directing them to a free online session on 26 March 2026, designed by NASS specifically for people in the first three years post-diagnosis.
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Consultation on new Chiropractic QS for AxSpA
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RCC open consultation on new Chiropractic Quality Standard for Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)
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The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) announces the launch of a consultation on a new Chiropractic Quality Standard on Axial Spondyloarthritis, seeking views from all stakeholders including chiropractors and other healthcare professionals, interested organisations, patients and the public.
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Prescribing for Pain and Blood Tests webinars
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PCRMM has two webinars upcoming: Prescribing in Pain and Demystifying Rheumatology Blood Tests.
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The webinar Prescribing in Pain: An Essential Q&A with Dr Giles Hazan will cover approaches to chronic pain, the pitfalls of prescribing, deprescribing, and alternatives to drug therapy.
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PCRMM Essentials of MSK Injections course
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Saturday, 9th May, 2026, at the The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham
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The Essentials of MSK Injections: Landmark and Ultrasound-Guided course is a comprehensive, hands-on training programme designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge and practical skills required to perform musculoskeletal injections safely and effectively in clinical practice.
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iO Roadshows 2026 tickets on sale!
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The Institute of Osteopathy is excited to share that tickets are now on sale for the iO Roadshows 2026.
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It’s a valuable opportunity for osteopaths from across the profession to connect, exchange views, ideas and share best practices.
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This new series of full-day CPD events will visit regions across the UK and is open to all osteopaths.
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Funding for osteopathy degree apprenticeship
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The Institute of Osteopathy has been leading on the development of a pre-registration degree apprenticeship standard for Osteopathy.
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The funding band for the apprenticeship standard has now been approved by the Secretary of State. The standard itself was officially published on the Skills England website on 18 February 2026.
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FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine
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Applications are now open for the FSEM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine.
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Musculoskeletal conditions affect millions worldwide. This Diploma in MSK Medicine empowers healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care through recognition of their clinical skills, knowledge and evidence-based practice.
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Exam sitting: 28th May 2026.
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New RA & Menopause booklet
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On International Women’s Day March 8th 2026, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) launched a new Rheumatoid Arthritis & Menopause booklet, which will be available to download or order in print free of charge. The resource addresses a long‑standing gap in support for women managing both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the menopause—two conditions that can overlap in complex and often confusing ways.
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NRAS cardiovascular risk modules
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The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has introduced three new cardiovascular risk management modules to its SMILE‑RA e‑learning programme this February.
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People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—around 1.5 times that of the general population—yet screening and management of these risks remain inconsistent across the UK.
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Living Well with Arthritis – professional survey
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Arthritis UK is developing a course to support health and care professionals in helping people live well with arthritis.
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Your input will help them tailor the course to meet your needs and preferences.
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The survey shouldn’t take any longer than 5 minutes.
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Arthritis UK's MSK Bitesize webinar
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This is a 3-hour webinar on a wide range of 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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Thursday 16th April 2026, 6pm - 9pm on Microsoft Teams
£60
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Arthritis UK's upcoming SKILLs Sessions
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SKILLs Sessions are a brand-new series of free-to-attend monthly webinars from Arthritis UK, driven by feedback from the SKILLs Community.
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Upcoming SKILLs Sessions will focus on: Gout; Paediatric MSK presentations; menopause and arthritis; and Arthritis UK information.
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Registration is essential.
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ERN-ReCONNET Survey on care in rare connective tissue diseases
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The ERN ReCONNET Transition of Care Task Force would like your support for a European survey focused on transitional care for people living with rare connective tissue diseases (rCTDs).
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The transition from paediatric to adult healthcare is a critical and often challenging phase for young people with rare diseases and their families. To better understand the real-life experiences, needs, and expectations of patients and caregivers, ERN ReCONNET is conducting a survey across Europe. The results will directly contribute to developing a more effective, coordinated, and patient-centered model of transitional care.
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Knee OA report from Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber
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This report provides patient-led insights into the lived experience of knee osteoarthritis (OA) across the Yorkshire and Humber region. It explores how OA affects quality of life, mental health, and access to treatment, particularly within the NHS musculoskeletal (MSK) care pathway.
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ARMA Calendar
| 21 Mar 2026, 9am |
Guy’s Hospital MSK Injection Skills workshop |
| 24 Mar 2026 |
PCRMM Prescribing in Pain webinar |
| 25 Mar 2026, 7pm–8pm |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Gout |
| 28 Mar 2026 |
SOMM Spinal Manual Therapy Masterclass, Liverpool |
| 31 Mar 2026 |
Living Well with Arthritis course survey closes |
| 1 Apr 2026 |
RCC consultation closes on Chiropractic QS for AxSpA |
| 16 Apr 2026, 6pm–9pm |
Arthritis UK’s MSK Bitesize webinar |
| 25 Apr 2026 |
iO Roadshow, Maidstone |
| 29 Apr 2026 |
SKILLs webinar: Arthritis UK info |
| 5 May 2026 |
PCRMM Demystifying Rheumatology Blood Tests webinar |
| 9 May 2026 |
PCRMM Essentials of MSK Injections course |
| 9 May 2026 |
iO Roadshow, Swansea |
| 10 May 2026 |
Abstract submissions close for BOA Annual Congress 2026 |
| 27 May 2026 |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Paediatric MSK |
| 28 May 2026 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine exam |
| 20 Jun 2026 |
Psoriasis Association Annual Meeting 2026 |
| 24 Jun 2026 |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Menopause |
| 5 Sep 2026 |
iO Roadshow, Edinburgh |
| 22-24 Sep 2026 |
BOA Annual Congress 2026, London |
| 3 Oct 2026 |
iO Roadshow, Leeds |
| 21 Nov 2026 |
iO Roadshow, 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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