by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)
At ARMA, our vision for neighbourhood health goes far beyond the NHS. The NHS is, of course, a vital part of our lives and a cornerstone of care but health is not created in hospitals or clinics alone. It is shaped in the places we live, work and connect, in our homes, schools, workplaces, parks, and communities. Neighbourhood health is about recognising that wellbeing depends as much on the social, economic, and environmental conditions around us as it does on clinical services.
When we talk about neighbourhood MSK health, we mean care that is rooted in our communities, close to where we live, and connected to the everyday realities of our lives. It’s about early joined up help that prevents problems before they escalate and support that keeps us active, independent, and engaged in our local communities. That means linking GPs, allied health professionals, pharmacists and MSK practitioners (including those in private practice) with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, employers, local government and other statutory bodies. Together, they can create the conditions for us to move more, eat well, manage pain, stay connected, and live lives that matter to us.
Recently, I have read articles and social media posts suggesting that certain professions will be the future of the NHS. That surely misses the point that now is the time to set aside territorial claims and to develop a bigger picture view of the teamwork needed to serve our communities. They will be part of the future of the NHS, and the wider system. Neighbourhood health puts the NHS in context. The health service is not the system; it is a partner in a much wider system of community wellbeing. A neighbourhood approach asks how health and care fit within the fabric of a place such as its housing, transport, green spaces, schools, workplaces and local networks. It values lived experience and community voices, ensuring we are not passive recipients of services but active participants in shaping the conditions that keep us well.
For musculoskeletal health, this approach is particularly powerful. Conditions like arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis are affected by how we live, move, and work. Supporting good MSK health requires more than treatment pathways, it demands safe walking routes, opportunities for physical activity, inclusive workplaces, and neighbourhoods designed for movement and connection.
ARMA’s vision is for every neighbourhood to create and sustain the conditions for good MSK health for everyone, everywhere. That means shifting our mindset from the NHS delivering care to communities creating health. It means seeing health as a shared endeavour, one built through collaboration, trust, and listening to what matters most to us. Only by doing so can we achieve a future where everyone can live well, move freely, and stay active throughout our lives.