|
|
|
|
ARMA Newsletter April 2024
|
|
|
|
Act together. Act Now.
|
|
It is hard to overstate what a privilege it was to join so many of those who contributed to the Act Now report in Westminster last week. The report exemplifies the ARMA approach of doing things together which none of us could do alone. The energy in the room and the commitment to making a difference was amazing. I feel that MSK is demonstrating what NHS England’s Core20+5 approach looks like in practice.
|
|
|
|
Our recent FOI requests to ICBs have elicited some responses along the lines of MSK isn’t one of the Core20+5 conditions so we aren’t prioritising it. I think this is a misunderstanding of the approach. All services should be taking a Core20+ approach to health inequalities. Which means that MSK should be targeting the 20% most deprived communities plus other groups experiencing exclusion relevant to their population. The 5 steps to tackling health inequalities in the Act Now report should help anyone not sure where to start in relation to MSK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Co-production works well locally – let’s ensure it happens nationally
|
Guest blog by Rachel Power, Chief Executive, Patients Association
|
At the Patients Association, we've seen the transformative power of shared decision making and patient partnership. Work we've done in partnership to empower patients with musculoskeletal conditions by giving them the tools to make informed treatment choices demonstrated how patient partnership delivers for patients and the NHS.
|
That project with patients, healthcare professionals, the Patient Information Forum and Nottinghamshire ICB focused on removing barriers to shared decision making.…
|
|
|
|
|
|
Act Now Report Parliamentary launch event
|
|
|
Last week ARMA held a Parliamentary launch for the Act Now report on MSK inequalities.
|
|
We were delighted to be joined by so many members, contributors to the report and leaders in MSK. There was a palpable energy in the room and a sense of commitment across the breadth of MSK health to tackle inequalities together.
|
|
|
|
|
We were privileged to have MP Tom Randall, Chair of the Axial Spondyloarthritis All Party Group in Westminster, host the event. His recognition of the report's timeliness underscored the importance of the report’s recommendations.
|
|
|
A highlight of the event was hearing from Anthony Gilbert of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, a key contributor to the report. Anthony shared insights on the successes his organisation has had embedding MSK services within local communities and their existing services in order to ensure more equitable access to MSK services in more deprived areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gareth Gault, who provided lived experience expertise to the ARMA inquiry, delivered a poignant speech on the value of co-producing services. He emphasised the necessity of including the voices of those directly impacted by health disparities in the development of solutions. Gareth's remarks highlighted that meaningful change in MSK services can only be achieved through collaboration with those who understand the challenges first-hand.
|
The energy, optimism and ideas from everyone attending are a testament to the collective determination to implement the report's recommendations and will inspire us as we continue work to share the report widely.
|
|
ACT NOW is not only a call to action, but a framework so that everyone can Act Now to effect change at every level of the MSK landscape. You can read the full report and summary here.
|
|
|
|
|
Act Now Virtual launch event
|
|
|
|
Join us for a virtual launch event to celebrate the ARMA report Act Now: MSK Health inequalities and deprivation.
|
|
|
|
- Hear about the findings of the report and what they mean for health services and healthcare professionals.
- How does deprivation relate to MSK health?
- What are the 5 steps to addressing health inequalities and what do they look like in practice?
- What are the particular issues for children and young people?
- What can you do to create change if you act now?
Join the discussion with our panel:
|
- Anthony Gilbert, Postdoctoral Clinical Research Physiotherapist, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
- Shabir Aziz, Lived Experience Partner
- Lesley Kay, National Clinical Director for MSK, NHS England
- Jacqui Clinch, Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist
|
|
|
|
|
Act Now Report on MSK Health Inequalities and Deprivation
|
|
|
|
In March, ARMA published the Act Now report of the Inquiry on Musculoskeletal Health Inequalities and Deprivation.
|
The report highlights the impact of social and economic determinants of health on those living with MSK conditions. People with MSK conditions in more deprived areas develop conditions earlier, have more complex cases, yet face far greater challenges in managing their MSK conditions and accessing quality MSK services.
|
Act Now aims to address the drivers of poor musculoskeletal health acting on people living in deprivation and crucially it brings a focus to the part health services across the UK can play to address inequalities.
|
|
The report provides practical advice and signposting for health systems, MSK services and practitioners in a position to shift the dial in the right direction and implement innovative strategies to overcome barriers to healthcare access and tackle unequal health outcomes in MSK health. It also spotlights organisations already implementing innovative ways to engage with under-served groups.
|
|
|
|
Key recommendations from the report include:
|
- Getting closer to and knowing your community better – solutions such as moving services into community spaces make them more accessible to under-served groups from deprived areas.
- Developing shared ownership of services through engagement and co-production.
- Using data to identify, tackle and monitor barriers to access and unequal health outcomes.
- Targeting intensive and tailored supported self-management where need is greatest.
|
|
|
You can read the full report here.
|
|
Please contact us at cmonaghan@arma.uk.net if you have any questions about the report or would like resources to help share the report with your own audiences.
|
|
|
|
|
New National Clinical Director
|
NHS England has appointed Dr Lesley Kay as the National Clinical Director (NCD) for Musculoskeletal. Lesley brings a wealth of experience to the NCD role as a Consultant rheumatologist at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS FT, former Chair of the British Society for Rheumatology Clinical Affairs Committee and as the former GIRFT Clinical Lead for Rheumatology.
|
Outgoing NCD Andy Bennett will be taking on a new role with GIRFT as Clinical Advisor focussing on community MSK services.
|
|
We wish them both the very best of luck and look forward to continuing to work with them closely in their new roles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Personalised Medicine and Empowered Pain Relief
|
Edition 143 of Airing Pain focuses on the treatment of pain, the importance of catering treatment to a person’s individual genetic makeup, and why addressing the psychological dimensions of pain is crucial in treating it effectively.
|
The process of finding a medication or treatment that works for a person often involves a lot of trial and error, which can be a frustrating process for someone to go through.
|
|
|
Psoriasis: What you need to know Conference 2024
|
Psoriasis: What you need to know Conference 2024 is taking place on 22nd June 2024 in Manchester. The conference serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and discussion of the latest advancements in psoriasis research, treatment, and management. Listen to insightful talks from researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals affected by psoriasis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSEM Diploma in Team care
|
Are you looking for a qualification that demonstrates your knowledge and clinical application knowledge in athlete and team care?
|
Sport and Exercise Medicine, including the skills and research coming from Team Care or Sport Medicine has a large-scale application for public health and the NHS. Team Care involves the medical care of injury and illness in sport and exercise.
|
|
|
Osteoporosis CPD webinar
|
On Thursday, 25 April 2024, 4-5pm the Institute of Osteopathy is hosting a webinar on Osteoporosis and fragility fractures from its series of educational CPD webinars.
|
Register now to join iO Professional Development Manager, Daniel McCarthy, as he guides you through everything you need to know about the condition along with some interesting case studies.
|
|
|
NOA P.A. webinar - part 2
|
NOA Webinar: Physician Associates in Orthopaedic Services – Part 2
|
Date: 1 May 2024 at 1pm Venue: Virtual Event (Zoom)
|
Join the NOA for Part 2 of their webinar, ‘Physician Associates (PAs) in Orthopaedic Services’. Building on the success of the inaugural session, Part 2 will delve deeper into the future changes impacting the training, curriculum, and regulation of PAs in orthopaedics.
|
|
|
|
|
ORUK Announces New Research Fellowships
|
Applications are open for ORUK research fellowships in partnership with the BOA, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, British Scoliosis Society (BSS) and The British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS). Two BOA/ORUK fellowships of up to £65k are available for a project in any area of orthopaedics including basic science, diagnosis, treatment, surgical technology, AI, logistics or audit.
|
|
|
Financial Boost for MSK Early Career Researchers
|
Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has received an award of over £750,000 from the Government to support its research programme. This funding will enable the charity to increase support for early-career clinical researchers and academic scientists interested in building and expanding their MSK research portfolio. ORUK supports early-career researchers working on a wide range of MSK-related research projects across the UK…
|
|
|
Promoting MSK Literacy in Young People
|
This month sees the latest tour of a musculoskeletal themed educational show, co-funded by Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), that introduces young people to biomechanics and the importance of bone, joint and muscle health. The Research and Test Lab (RATLab) tour uses a combination of science, hi-tech projections and puppetry devised by theatre company Green Ginger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SOMM Injection CPD Day
|
The Injection CPD Day is still a new product for SOMM but the two days held recently in Belfast were a great success with excellent feedback. Attendees review current evidence as well as refreshing their practical skills and enhancing their clinical reasoning in MSK injection therapy.
|
|
The next CPD Day will be held in Liverpool on Saturday, 11th May 2024. For further information and booking, please visit SOMM’s website.
|
|
|
|
SOMM Tutors' References 2024
|
|
SOMM’s tutors get together at their Annual Study Day early in the year, as well as meeting on SOMM’s individual courses. As part of their development programme, relevant references to support the musculoskeletal medicine approach are shared, to support the content of SOMM’s Foundation in Musculoskeletal Medicine module. MSK educators and practitioners might also find them useful and can find them on the document here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Refer a patient to NRAS
|
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) know the immense pressure faced by rheumatology healthcare teams. Let NRAS be the extra team member you need, by introducing your patients to Right Start.
|
|
NRAS works in partnership with the NHS to offer its information and support services to patients who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a Health Professional, all you have to do is submit a quick form to refer your patient to NRAS and they take care of the rest!
|
|
|
No NRAS Live this month!
|
Due to many of the NRAS team going to the BSR conference later in the month, there is unfortunately no NRAS Live this month. However, if you have missed any of their live broadcasts – remember you can watch ALL previous NRAS Lives via their YouTube channel.
|
|
They have even made this handy playlist, which has all previous lives events in order and ready for a weekend binge!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Versus Arthritis MSK Bitesize webinar
|
The training in this MSK Bitesize webinar focuses on the ten topics that predominantly feature within primary care settings.
|
The topics focused on are: Osteoarthritis, Inflammatory arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Myeloma, Gout, Hypermobility, Paediatric MSK, Lupus, and Physical Activity. This session is aimed at GPs and other primary care professionals involved in diagnosing and supporting patients with MSK conditions.
|
|
|
Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care course - Glasgow
|
This one day course will be split into three main sections covering low back pain and sciatica, lower limb and upper limb.
|
The course has been designed by GPs primarily for GPs and GP Trainees but is also beneficial for other primary healthcare professionals such as Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists and Physiotherapists who support patients with MSK conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent publications on health inequalities
|
There have been a number of publications and toolkits on health inequalities published in recent weeks.
|
These are not MSK-specific but will include useful information, data and resources for those working in MSK. Illustrating the relationship between poverty and NHS services is a long read from the Kings Fund.
|
|
|
New Oliver Bird Funding for MSK
|
£6 million of research funding to improve the lives of people living with musculoskeletal conditions
|
The Nuffield Foundation, in partnership with Versus Arthritis, has announced £6 million for new research funding to improve the well-being of people living with musculoskeletal conditions in the UK, with a focus outside clinical settings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welsh Government Mental Health Inquiry
|
The Welsh Government has opened a public consultation on its draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The consultation will close on 11 June 2024.
|
|
You can find full details of the consultation via this link to the www.gov.wales website.
|
|
|
Senedd Health Committee Obesity Inquiry
|
The Senedd Health Committee is holding an enquiry into the ‘prevention of ill health – obesity.’ The call for evidence runs until 7 June 2024.
|
|
You can find further details on the inquiry and submit evidence to the Committee by following this link.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The TIPTOE Study into knee/hip pain
|
Do you or someone you know have knee or hip joint pain that is impacting daily life?
|
The TIPTOE research study is aimed at people 70+ with knee and / or hip pain, comparing a new support package, which aims to give people the knowledge, confidence and skills to live well independently, with standard care.
|
|
|
AI powered pain expert - Teesside University
|
Talk to an artificial intelligence-powered expert about your pain.
|
A free interactive resource developed using cutting-edge technology to help millions living with persistent pain has been launched by Teesside University. Academics from Teesside University’s Centre for Rehabilitation worked alongside artificial intelligence (AI) specialist StoryFile to develop a fully interactive digital version of internationally renowned pain management expert Pete Moore.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARMA Calendar
| 25 April 2024, 4-5pm |
iO Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures – CPD webinar |
| 29 April 2024 |
Applications close for BOA/ORUK fellowships |
| 1 May 2024 |
NOA Webinar: Physician Associates in Orthopaedics part 2 |
| 3 May 2024, 5pm |
Applications close for ORUK/BASS spine research fellowship |
| 7 May 2024 |
FSEM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine setting exam |
| 10 May 2024 |
Applications close for FSEM Diploma in Team care |
| 11 May 2024 |
SOMM Injection Therapy CPD day, 1-day course, Liverpool |
| 23 May 2024 |
Applications close for RCSEd Orthopaedics Research Fellowship |
| 23 May 2024, 6-9pm |
Versus Arthritis MSK Bitesize webinar |
| 24 May 2024 |
NRAS #WearPurpleForJIA |
| 3 June 2024, 1-2pm |
Act Now Virtual Launch event |
| 6 June 2024 |
FSEM Diploma in Team care exam |
| 7 June 2024 |
Welsh inquiry into 'Prevention of ill health: obesity' closes |
| 11 June 2024 |
Welsh Government Mental Health Inquiry closes |
| 22 June 2024 |
Psoriasis: What you need to know Conference 2024, Manchester |
| 28-30 June 2024 |
CCAA Family Residential Support Weekend, Dorset |
| 3 July 2024, 9-5pm |
Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care course, Glasgow |
| 15-21 July 2024 |
NRAS JIA Awareness Week |
| 26 July 2024, 5pm |
Call for evidence closes for NASS Gold Standard |
| 16 Sept 2024 |
Deadline for outline Oliver Bird Funding applications |
| 16-22 Sept 2024 |
NRAS RA Awareness Week |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
