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ARMA Newsletter September 2024
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Over to you, Prime Minister
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After two days in Belfast launching the ARMA MSK Health Inequalities report in Northern Ireland, I found myself on the plane back to England drafting the ARMA response to the Darzi report. I don’t think there are any new revelations in the report. Yet I do think it is important, and something everyone concerned about MSK health should take seriously. I recognise the truth in what it says.
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ARMA’s New Report Highlights Gaps in MSK Leadership and Prioritisation by ICBs
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In March 2024, ARMA sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England to assess their leadership and strategic priorities for MSK services. The resulting report underscores the need for immediate action.
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- Nearly one in four ICBs reported having no designated MSK lead.
- Almost one in four ICBs were unable to outline their priorities for MSK services.
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ARMA launches Act Now Summary for Northern Ireland
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The Act Now report of our inquiry on MSK health inequalities and deprivation inquiry emphasises the influence of social and economic determinants on individuals living with MSK conditions and aims to address the avoidable factors contributing to poor MSK health among those in more deprived areas.
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The newly published summary includes an outline of what is known about MSK health inequalities in Northern Ireland and the recommendations for action by healthcare professionals, services and local health systems.
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The Belfast launch took place at the AHP Innovation Conference where ARMA CEO Sue Brown introduced the report in a keynote speech which closed the conference.
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ARMA also held a roundtable event in Belfast bringing together first contact and secondary care allied health professionals from across the country, the NI Public Health Agency and the lived experience voice to discuss the recommendations of the report and its implementation. ARMA will be publishing the findings of the roundtable in the coming weeks.
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Following elections at the recent AGM, ARMA welcomed a new Chair of our board of trustees.
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Speaking about his new role, ARMA Chair Chris Martey said: “I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Chair in this pivotal time for the charity, where it’s work, reach and impact is going from strength to strength. It is a privilege to be taking over the mantle from Dirk, having worked closely alongside him as Vice-Chair during the last year of his tenure.
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ARMA welcomes publication of the Darzi Report
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ARMA welcomes the publication of the Darzi report recognising the serious and widespread problems in the NHS and the need for an increased focus on community services and prevention.
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ARMA submitted evidence to the review highlighting data from our recently released report showing MSK is not appropriately prioritised at ICB level. In addition, ARMA’s evidence emphasised the need to address MSK inequalities and the recommendations that ARMA has made as part of the Act Now report of the inquiry on MSK inequalities and deprivation.
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In our response to the Darzi Report we welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to reform and a new long-term plan for the NHS and underscored the need for that plan must be backed by investment.
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RA Awareness Week 2024: Stop the Stereotype
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This year for Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week 2024 (16-22 September) the theme was #STOPtheStereotype, focusing on dispelling the frustrating stereotypes that surround this incurable, invisible condition. The 450,000 people living in the UK with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) face people making assumptions about their condition, hearing comments along the lines of ‘you look fine how can you be unwell?’, ‘you are far too young to have arthritis’, ‘it’s just your joints getting old?’ amongst many others.
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NRAS Live: Introduction to The Wren Project
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Join NRAS on Wednesday 25th September at 7pm for a discussion on how NRAS and The Wren Project support those with autoimmune conditions.
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The Wren Project is a fantastic initiative that offers listening support to people living with autoimmune diseases throughout the UK.
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Lupus Awareness Month 2024
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October is Lupus Awareness Month in the UK, which plays a crucial role in increasing awareness and understanding of this chronic condition. The LUPUS UK campaign this year is #ThisIsLupus, which aims to raise awareness of lupus as a ‘dynamic disability,’ where an individual’s symptoms can vary in severity and impact over time.
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AI in Orthopaedics webinar
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AI in Orthopaedics: NOA Fireside chat with Atif Ishaq and Dr Shruti Turner AI is becoming more common in healthcare and is expected to drive increased productivity over the coming years. But is AI always the solution? When should we be using it in orthopaedics? What are NOA members already doing? Join this fireside chat to find out more from our experts.
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Sport Rehabilitator at the Olympics
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Samantha Parsons, BASRaT registered Sport Rehabilitator and Director of Arch Health and Fitness in Kew played a key role in supporting GB tennis in Paris.
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Sam has shared her rehab story with BASRat, including the preparation, day-to-day tasks, heat management, food and those infamous cardboard beds!
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Free Physio First skills thoracic spine evening
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The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM) is hosting a Physio First Skills Exchange evening on the thoracic spine at the SOMM HQ in Liverpool. Through case scenarios and practical demonstrations, experienced and more recently qualified physiotherapists, as well as final year students, will be encouraged to contribute their thoughts and ideas, and given the opportunity to refresh techniques, discover new ones and share top tips in a safe, collaborative space.
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Physio First’s flagship Data for Impact project
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In October 2024, Physio First’s Data for Impact (DfI) and Quality Assurance schemes will be relocating to the prestigious Centre for Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health Research at Keele University. This strategic move signifies a substantial advancement in the quality of care for musculoskeletal conditions, benefiting both clinicians and patients alike.
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Transforming MSK care across complex health systems
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getUBetter will be running an MSK-focused webinar on Thursday, 26th of September at 12:30PM, titled: ‘Transforming MSK care across complex health systems with digital self-management support: Technology vs methodology.’ The discussion will cover the importance of of different rapid deployment models and the methodology needed to realise the transformative potential of digital self-management support of all common musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and conditions.
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Launch of Key Report into Health Benefits of MSK Hubs
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Transforming gyms into community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Hubs offers hope to millions in pain. Arthritis Action are pleased to announce the publication of the report “Transforming Gyms into Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Hubs” in partnership with ukactive, Good Boost, Orthopaedic Research UK and ESCAPE-pain. The report highlights the findings from a two-year pilot project established to investigate the feasibility of using gyms and leisure centres to support people to manage their MSK conditions with exercise in a community-based setting.
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How to spot hypermobility-related conditions event
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Ehlers-Danlos Support UK is inviting GPs and GP trainees within the UK to enhance their understanding of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders in a Primary care setting. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with experts and expand knowledge. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your skills and stay current in the ever-evolving world of your general practice.
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Tuesday 26th November 2024, 11:30am-5pm
The Reform Club, London.
Free.
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New report on innovation in MSK health
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The NIHR Innovation Observatory has undertaken a global horizon scan, supported by ORUK, to identify emerging MSK medical and digital health and care technologies with the potential to reduce the occurrence of MSK conditions, improve health outcomes and provide efficiencies within delivery of health and care services for people with poor MSK conditions.
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It is anticipated that the research findings will be used to highlight early-stage technological innovations to prevent and manage MSK conditions and identify areas of unmet need. The report includes a breakdown of 109 innovative technologies (either regulated medical devices or digital interventions.
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Exciting opportunity for MSK innovators
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Applications are now open for this year’s MSK Innovation Accelerator programme, hosted by MedTech SuperConnector. The programme, which is supported by ORUK, was successfully piloted last year.
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It is designed to accelerate the development of musculoskeletal innovation and thereby create and scale early-stage MSK ventures across the UK. It involves a 6-month intensive learning journey, providing participants with entrepreneurship training, masterclasses and access to expertise. The accelerator learning content is part-time.
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EULAR launches the Edgar Stene Prize Competition 2025
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EULAR PARE has announced the launch of the EULAR Edgar Stene Prize essay competition 2025 on the topic: “Growing up with an RMD – learning, transitioning from paediatrics and the impacts on childhood and the family”.
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The competition is open to people aged 18 and over living with rheumatic and MSK diseases (RMDs) who were diagnosed with an RMD during childhood to participate and write about their personal experiences on the competition topic.
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In addition, for 2025, parents of children living with RMDs are also invited to participate.
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The winner will be presented with their award at the Opening Plenary session of the EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2025 Congress) on 11 June 2025 in Barcelona.
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The competition has a first-place prize money of EUR 1,000, and in addition, travel, accommodation (4 nights), registration to attend the EULAR 2025 Congress and an invitation to the EULAR Family and Congress dinners.
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Second and third places are awarded with prize money of EUR 700 and EUR 300, respectively.
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The UK competition closes at 5pm on 16th December 2024.
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New NHS Resource for adults with chronic primary pain
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NHS England has published a new decision support tool - Making decisions to help you live well with chronic primary pain.
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The resource is intended as a decision aid for people aged 16 years and over with chronic primary pain to help you think about what options you might like to consider to help you live well with pain.
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General Chiropractic Council consulting on new code
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The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) is currently consulting on a replacement Code of Professional Practice.
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This document will update the standards of professional conduct, performance, ethics, and proficiency for anyone wishing to register as a chiropractor with the GCC. The Code is crucial for ensuring high-quality professional practice and informing patients about the quality of care they should expect from chiropractors.
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The GCC is keen to hear insights from patients and healthcare colleagues as well as from chiropractors themselves. The consultation closes at midnight on Friday 27 September 2024. You can read more, and take part, on the GCC website.
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ARMA Calendar
| 24 September 2024, 6-8:30pm |
Physio First skills thoracic spine evening, Liverpool |
| 25 September at 7pm |
NRAS Live: Introduction to The Wren Project |
| 26 September 2024 |
MFSEM Part 1 Examination |
| 26 September 2024, 12:30pm |
Transforming MSK care across complex health systems webinar |
| 27 September 2024 |
GCC Code of rofessional practice consultation closes |
| 29 September 2024 |
Deadline for MSK Innovation Accelerator programme applications |
| 1 Oct 2024 |
Lupus Awareness Month 2024 begins |
| 7 Oct 2024, 9-5pm |
Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care, Glasgow |
| 12 Oct 2024 |
Chiro Live 2024 conference |
| 17 Oct 2024, 6-9pm |
Musculoskeletal Bitesize course via Microsoft Teams |
| 8 Nov 2024, 12.30pm - 1.30pm |
Webinar - AI in Orthopaedics: NOA Fireside chat |
| 26 Nov 2024, 11:30am-5pm |
How to spot hypermobility-related conditions in Primary care event |
| 16 Dec 2024, 5pm |
UK entries close for Edgar Stene Prize |
| 3 March 2025 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine applications open |
| 8 March 2025, 9-5pm |
Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care, Birmingham |
| 18 April 2025 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine applications close |
| 15 May 2025 |
NOA Annual Members' Conference, Birmingham |
| 20 May 2025 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine exam |
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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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