|
|
|
|
ARMA Newsletter April 2023
|
|
|
|
A step change in the priority for MSK
|
|
|
I’m delighted to be writing, for the second time this year, about MSK getting a high profile in Government policy. Two months ago I wrote about the Major Conditions Strategy, and now we have a budget which included funding for MSK. By including the word musculoskeletal in such a major annual economic event, the speech has underlined the vital importance of MSK health to our country and our economy.
|
The budget included three initiatives for MSK:
|
- Digital resources for MSK and Mental Health – £310 million over 5 years
- MSK Hubs – £20 million over 4 years
- Increase employment advisers in health settings (including MSK services) – £150 million over 5 years
This is a lot of money, although given the numbers of people with MSK conditions, nowhere near as much as it sounds. It is essential that this funding reaches the people who most need it. I think there are some principles related to ensuring this happens.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second call for evidence – Local Services
|
|
|
When it comes to treatment and quality of life for people living with an MSK condition, it’s far from a level playing field.
|
Where you live, your income, gender, and ethnic background can all have an impact on MSK health. Sadly, deprivation is a significant driver of inequalities, with people in deprived areas more likely to have a long-term MSK condition. They also tend to experience more chronic pain, worse outcomes, and lower quality of life.
|
That is why ARMA is conducting the first ever national inquiry into MSK Health inequalities to explore and highlight these issues and make recommendations for improvement.
|
Local services play a key role in addressing these issues. In our first call for evidence, we heard insightful and thought-provoking responses from service providers throughout the length and breadth of the country.
|
We are now calling on more local service providers to respond and provide examples from their own experience. We are interested in any local attempts to address inequalities in MSK related to deprivation, even if you have not engaged in formal research.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Budget Announcement
|
MSK conditions are one of the leading causes of disability in the UK, resulting in millions of lost working days in the UK, as well as significant numbers leaving the workforce each year.
|
Not only does this have a serious impact on those affected, in terms of income and mental health, but it also means that their much-needed skills and experience are lost to the economy.
|
That’s why it is welcome news that the Government has announced a package of support for those with disabilities or affected by long-term sickness, as part of this year’s Spring Budget.
|
A key focus is closing the “disability employment gap”, which was last year at its highest level since 2018…
|
|
|
|
|
ARMA Annual Lecture 2023: Community-Powered MSK
|
|
|
|
With a growing number of people affected by long-term MSK conditions, improving their quality of life has never been more important. Yet services are under increasing pressure, with lengthy backlogs, leaving many to believe our current models are unsustainable.
|
|
|
|
Could the solution lie in our local communities? That’s the topic of ARMA’s 2023 Annual Lecture, Community-Powered MSK, taking place virtually on Tuesday, 16 May 2023 at 6pm.
|
Adam Lent, Chief Executive of New Local, will join Laura Finucane, a Consultant Physiotherapist and Clinical Director of Sussex MSK Partnership, to explore innovative ways to tackle these issues.
|
The two distinguished speakers will be discussing whether a more community-centred approach could address the need for prevention, support for self-management, and de-medicalisation of our approach to MSK health. They will also look at whether this approach could tackle ever-increasing demand, and improve patient access, outcomes, and experiences.
|
Last year, New Local published a report titled “A Community Powered NHS,” which proposed a radical shift towards a healthcare system focused on preventing illness as much as treating it. The report called for a collaborative approach with communities as equal partners in the design and delivery of healthcare.
|
|
Adam Lent will offer his insight into the potential benefits of this new approach, while Laura Finucane will respond from the perspective of local MSK services.
|
|
|
|
This exciting event is not to be missed by anyone interested in the future of MSK healthcare. More details can be found here.
|
|
We would like to thank getUBetter for sponsoring this event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New funding for osteoporosis research
|
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has launched its third consecutive research grants round for 2023, opening the scheme for the first time to innovation projects that can close the care gap and reduce health inequalities. Applications are encouraged from researchers at every career stage. Project grants of up to £100,000 over a maximum of three years will be available.
|
|
|
|
|
Susan Booth joins the EDS UK as CEO
|
The trustees of The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK are delighted to announce that Susan Booth, recently Executive Director, Development at Target Ovarian Cancer, has been appointed to succeed Kay Julier.
|
Susan will take up the position from 1 July and work alongside Kay from mid-June.…
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your SpAce programme is launched
|
The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has launched Your SpAce, which has been created in partnership with people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) and healthcare professionals. Your SpAce allows people living with axial SpA to engage with their condition, learn more about axial SpA, and build skills to manage the impact it has on their life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Future of Pain Management - podcast trailer
|
Pain Concern would like to announce their new Airing Pain podcast episode 136, The Future of Pain Management. This edition will be released on 26 April 2023 and platforms four internationally recognised clinicians talking at the British Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2022. The episode features Dr Stephen Ward, Dr Simon Thomson, Dr Owen Williamson and Dr Timothy Deer and discusses their specialist areas of: new scientific evidence for fibromyalgia; neuropathic pain in the form of phantom limb and post-surgery back pain…
|
|
|
|
|
getUBetter wins HSJ partnership award 2023
|
getUBetter is delighted to announce that their collaboration with NHS South West London and South West London ICS to deliver digital self-management of all common musculoskeletal injuries and condition across entire Integrated Care Systems has been crowned the winner of the HealthTech Partnership of the Year category at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023, recognising their outstanding dedication to improving healthcare and effective collaboration with the NHS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where Dermatology Meets Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal
|
Course and Conference, Wednesday 21 June 2023 Cavendish Conference Centre, London
|
Following on from the hugely successful ‘Where Dermatology Meets’ conference last year, the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) has joined forces with the Primary Care Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine Society (PCRMM) to deliver an exclusive dual specialty conference for all members of the primary healthcare team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Origins and Achievements of the GMOA
|
Save the date for the next NOA webinar taking place on 3 May 2023 at 1pm.
|
The session will look at the origins and achievements of the Greater Manchester Orthopaedic Alliance (GMOA). The current Chair, Professor David Sands Johnson, will share details of the alliance, its role during the pandemic and its goals for the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOA Annual Members Conference 2023
|
Registration is now open for the third annual NOA Annual Members' Conference taking place on 19 October 2023, 8:30am - 4:30pm at Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, Birmingham. Confirmed speakers include ARMA CEO Sue Brown.
|
The NOA Annual Members' Conference is an impactful learning and networking opportunity for the orthopaedic community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excellence in Orthopaedics Awards
|
The National Orthopaedic Alliance has opened entries for the second annual NOA Excellence in Orthopaedics Awards. The awards recognise NOA member organisations, projects and teams that have distinguished themselves through exemplary contributions, influence, and commitment to transforming services across orthopaedics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moving from exclusion to inclusion in digital health and care
|
This long read from the Kings Fund looks at practical suggestions for addressing digital exclusion. The recommendations are grouped under three headings:
|
- fixing the fundamentals
- structuring services around people’s needs and preferences
- improving the quality and consistency of services.
|
The article considers a range of issues, including how to provide devices, the best ways to provide data, building digital skills and working with communities to develop more inclusive services. It is must-read for anyone involved in MSK digital projects.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARMA Calendar
| 26 April 2023 |
Airing Pain ep.136, The Future of Pain Management |
| 26 April 2023 |
PCRMM Shoulder Injections – The Inside Story course, Hull University |
| 30 April 2023 |
Entries close for NOA Excellence in Orthopaedics Awards |
| 2 May 2023 |
Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine exam |
| 3 May 2023, 1pm |
NOA webinar: Origins and Achievements of the GMOA |
| 16 May 2023, 6pm |
ARMA Annual Lecture 2023: Community-Powered MSK |
| 17 May 2023, 1pm |
NASS Facebook Live: Caring for someone with axial SpA |
| 31 May 2023 |
ARMA Inquiry second call for evidence (Local Services) closes |
| 31 May 2023, 1pm |
NASS Facebook Live: Personal care and axial SpA |
| 1 June 2023 |
Why Sports 2023 Improving Health and Increasing Activity Conference |
| 6 June 2023 |
Deadline for ROS osteoporosis research grant applications |
| 21 June 2023 |
PCRMM & PCDS: Where Dermatology Meets Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal |
| 3–5 July 2023 |
BSPRM-BASCIS Annual Scientific Conference |
| 3–7 July 2023 |
JIA Awareness Week |
| 11–17 Sept 2023 |
RA Awareness Week |
| 19 Oct 2023 |
NOA Annual Members' Conference, Birmingham |
| 20–21 Oct 2023 |
International Osteopathy Convention 2023, London |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
