As an active member of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC), the Arthritis Research UK policy, campaigns and public affairs teams have worked closely with the Chairs of the coalition on the DBC’s new report. The report demonstrating the huge problems which many people experience when trying to access Personal Independence Payments, and includes statistics from the DBC Big Benefits Survey – with over 1500 responses specifically from people with musculoskeletal conditions- and an in depth case study provided by Arthritis Research UK about Debs, who had her PIP reduced and lost her Motability care as a result.…
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MSK & Arthritis News
Rehab Matters – Raising the profile of community rehabilitation
Guest blog by Catherine Pope, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Chair.
Jane left hospital after a stroke and was seen promptly at home by a physiotherapist, who worked with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop a plan for her recovery.
Members of that team visited regularly, and Jane made strong progress – supported by her husband, Robert – towards achieving her goal of getting back out into her garden and getting her green fingers dirty.
Meanwhile, another Jane, in another part of the country – perhaps even the neighbouring town – realised no such goal.…
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NASS starts the search for new Chief Executive
The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society are sad to report that after six years with NASS as Chief Executive, Debbie Cook is moving on, out of the medical health sector. During her time with NASS Debbie has overseen the transformation of the charity into one that AS charities around the world aspire to emulate.
Her bold leadership and strong vision, whilst always remaining sensitive to the needs of the membership, have defined NASS’s approach and will set the tone for the future.…
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October is Lupus Awareness Month
We would like to remind everyone that October is Lupus Awareness Month. Throughout the month LUPUS UK will be sharing facts, videos, information and case studies on social media. We would be very grateful to any organisations that can spread the word about our #THISISLUPUS campaign and direct people towards the LUPUS UK website for more information or support.
Three LUPUS UK Factsheets Revised and Updated
Three factsheets have recently been revised and updated to meet the requirements of The Information Standard.
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EDS UK launches free membership and toolkit for GPs
The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK (EDS UK) has launched free membership alongside a brand new website and logo. This is a major change for the charity in its 30th year and is intended to attract new supporters.
The website is kept up to date with news and the latest information on the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes as well as vital support. Have a look here: www.ehlers-danlos.org.
The charity is also proud to be working in partnership with the Royal College of GPs this year to create an EDS toolkit for GPs.…
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A Guide to Rheumatology: Parliamentary briefing
In late September, BSR are releasing ‘A Guide to Rheumatology: Parliamentary briefing,’ which seeks to address the challenges and opportunities faced by the rheumatology multidisciplinary team and identify ways to improve the treatment and care received by individuals with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. It highlights the significant difficulties experienced by rheumatology services and the patients they serve:
- Waiting times: 38% of patients in England with suspected rheumatoid arthritis were assessed within three weeks of referral.
- Diagnostic delay: Only 18% of patients in England were referred to rheumatology within the NICE recommended three days of presentation to their GP.
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NHSE/ARMA Webinar & WHO Global Action Plan
NHSE/ARMA Webinar Gains Traction on YouTube
The “Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Training in the NHS” webinar has received almost 300 views on YouTube; please continue to share and promote this important resource which highlights physical inactivity as the largest public health problem of the 21st century and outlines how Exercise Medicine and Musculoskeletal Medicine, delivered within the NHS, can have a positive impact on public health. View the Webinar here.
FSEM (UK) Responds to Draft WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity
The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK) has responded to a recent consultation by the World Health Organisation on physical activity.…
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Back Care Awareness Week media pack
During Back Care Awareness Week, which this year is targeted at the Education sector, BackCare will be conducting media interviews and distributing promotional packs containing posters, pamphlets/leaflets and flyers.
Their aim is to disseminate guidance and advice on maintaining healthy backs for children during their school life and beyond.
BackCare have issued a press release, which you can download here.
Back Care Awareness Week runs 2 – 6 October 2017.
If you are interested in the information packs, you can get them here.…
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Seeking new trustees for ARMA
The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is seeking to expand our trustee board to bring in people from different professional backgrounds. This is the ideal opportunity for someone who wishes to gain experience of serving at board level with an interest in improving health services for people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. We are looking for trustees with a business or fundraising background to complement our existing board’s strengths in health provision and charity management.
ARMA is an umbrella body bringing together 35 member organisations, ranging from specialised support groups for rare diseases to major research charities and national professional bodies.…
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Physical activity and good MSK health
Physical activity seems to have been the theme for the last few weeks. The latest phase of Public Health England’s ‘One You’ campaign Active 10 aims to get inactive people doing 10 minutes of brisk walking per day. Whilst I have seen some questioning of “shock tactics”, the statistic that 41% of people aged 40 – 60 in the UK do not do 10 minutes of brisk walking in a month certainly helped gain coverage. I’m sure the new Active 10 app will get some people walking on a daily basis.…
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