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A new Health Secretary. A new opportunity for MSK health?
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by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)
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Like many people working across health and care, I watched the latest ministerial changes with mixed feelings. A new Health Secretary always brings uncertainty. Priorities can shift, momentum can be lost, relationships need to be rebuilt, but moments like this also create opportunity.
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For those of us working to improve musculoskeletal (MSK) health, a new Health Secretary is a chance to make a simple but important case: MSK health must become a national priority.
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Too often, MSK is treated as a specialist concern rather than a foundational one. Over 20 million people in the UK live with an MSK condition. Those 20 million people are not an abstract statistic. They are the woman who gives up work because pain and fatigue become too much. The grandfather who stops playing with his grandchildren because movement has become difficult. The person waiting months or years for treatment that could restore independence.
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If the Government is serious about prevention, healthy life expectancy, economic participation and NHS reform, it cannot afford to overlook MSK health.
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Learning pathways at SOMM
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The landscape of postgraduate education and CPD is changing. Increasingly, clinicians are seeking flexibility in how they learn — whether that means attending individual days, foundation units or broader programmes without formal assessment. SOMM recognises and supports this evolving approach to learning.
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At the same time, SOMM has long been known for something very specific: a rigorous, assessed and credit‑bearing route …
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Effective consultations webinar series
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Effective consultations digital: examination, diagnosis, and management of musculoskeletal presentations
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Tuesday 3rd June 2026,
7pm to 8:45pm
(occurring weekly over 4 weeks)
Online via Microsoft Teams
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Build confidence in MSK consultations with this four-week interactive online course for primary care.
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Everyday MSK presentations
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Key conditions: everyday musculoskeletal presentations to red flag cases
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Wednesday 15th July 2026, 6pm to 9pm
Online via Microsoft Teams
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Gain a clear, structured overview of a range of MSK conditions in this three-hour webinar. Learn to recognise mechanical and inflammatory patterns, manage complexity, and identify cases requiring rapid referral.
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New ORUK Innovation website
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ORUK launches website for Joint Venture MSK innovation initiative
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Following a series of successful events under the Joint Venture label, Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has launched a dedicated website for the Joint Venture MSK Innovation initiative. Joint Venture is a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and others interested in driving innovation and entrepreneurship within MSK health.
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ORUK's Funding for MSK start-ups
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Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) is offering up to £100k through the Ronald Furlong Fund to support early‑stage startups working on practical, evidence‑based solutions in musculoskeletal health.
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Named in honour of the charity’s founder, who combined successful careers as an orthopaedic surgeon and entrepreneur, the Fund is designed to help entrepreneurs accelerate innovative and commercially viable ideas that solve the unmet needs of society around bone, joint and muscle wellbeing.
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NRAS ‘Right Start’ webinar
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Time to give all patients with RA the ‘Right Start’
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25 June 2026, 12-1pm
Webinar
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The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is encouraging healthcare professionals across the UK to refer patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to its Right Start programme, a free support service designed to help people understand and manage their condition from the earliest stages to those who have lived with RA for a long time.
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The Scottish Report from NRAS
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The Scottish Report: Improving Care for People Living with Inflammatory Conditions
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The new Scotland‑wide survey by NRAS, The Scottish Report, has revealed significant challenges faced by people living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. These are long‑term, often invisible conditions that can affect joints, organs, skin and the bowel, and impact around one in ten people.
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BOA Annual Congress 2026 – early bird registration
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BOA Annual Congress 2026 early bird registration is now open for BOA members and non–members.
BOA members can register with a 100% discount on the ticket fee for an extended time. Discounted period will run until Sunday 19th July 2026.
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One month to the Psoriasis Association Annual Meeting
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‘Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions’ Saturday, 20 June 2026
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Places are still available for this event, which is set to explore developments in treatments, research and patient support for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
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New bilingual website for MSK services and patient support
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Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have published their bilingual signposting information to better support people living with musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions. Their website, available in both English and Welsh, can also be accessed via the signposting padlet (downloadable posters and business cards) and allows patients to access a variety of information including local health services, self-referrals to physiotherapy and self-management.
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ARMA Calendar
| 27 May 2026 |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Paediatric MSK Presentations |
| 28 May 2026 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine exam |
| 3 Jun 2026, 7pm |
Arthritis UK Effective digital consultations webinar |
| 20 Jun 2026 |
Psoriasis Association Annual Meeting 2026 |
| 24 Jun 2026 |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Menopause and Arthritis |
| 25 Jun 2026, 12-1pm |
NRAS Right Start Webinar |
| 27 Jun 2026 |
RCC Summer Conference, Birmingham |
| 15 Jul 2026, 6pm |
Arthritis UK Key conditions: everyday MSK presentations webinar |
| 19 Jul 2026 |
BOA Annual Congress early bird discount period ends |
| 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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