MSK & Arthritis News

ARMA Response to Improving Lives: The Work, Health and Disability Green Paper

Our response to the UK Government consultation

ARMA welcomes the recognition in the Improving Lives: The Work, Health and Disability Paper of the need to address musculoskeletal conditions and work.

Musculoskeletal conditions are among the commonest causes of people’s inability to work and, as evidenced in the Global Burden of Disease study (2015), are the single biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK. Less than two-thirds of working age people with musculoskeletal conditions are in work. MSK conditions are the leading cause of sickness absence, resulting in 30.6 million working days lost each year and one in five visits to the GP.…

Read more of this article

Upcoming EULAR educational events

Dear colleagues,

We would like to bring to your attention the below EULAR courses and educational events.

During the year of EULAR’s 70th Anniversary, we offer some special courses and a new seminar. If one or the other triggers your interest, please feel free to register and pass on the information to your fellows and colleagues. EULAR offers bursaries for most of its courses.

 

EULAR/ACR exchange programme for young rheumatologists

3 – 8 November 2017 in San Diego, California

Apply for a EULAR stipend, take part in an individualised institution visit, participate at a half day workshop and attend the 2017 ACR – a great opportunity for networking and making valuable contacts for your professional future.…

Read more of this article

Your Life with Arthritis Survey

Arthritis Care has launched a new survey, “Your life with Arthritis”, which is available online at: http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/yourlifesurvey

Please circulate the survey to anyone with arthritis who may be interested in taking part. The evidence we gather will help us to understand what matters most to people with arthritis and campaign for better care and support. For more information about the survey or to request a paper copy, please email campaigns@arthritiscare.org.uk

 

BBC Radio 4 appeal

Broadcaster and Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley made the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Arthritis Care last month, speaking about how arthritis has affected her life and family.

Portsmouth ARMA Network Winter Update

As the nights start to draw in it feels like winter is on its way. Last year we experienced one of our busiest ever winter periods and, whilst our staff coped admirably, our services were under huge pressure. This year we would like to help our local community be ‘winter ready’ and to stay as well as possible.

To read on, open and download the Portsmouth and District ARMA Local Network Update – Winter 2016 as Word doc.

 

PortsHosp Funky Gloves Day – Department of Rheumatology

The Department of Rheumatology at Portsmouth Hospitals Trust are looking for nimble-fingered knitters to get out the needles and wool and craft us some Funky Gloves. If knitting’s your passion, you could help to create some little amazing funky gloves for our Glove Sale on Wednesday 1st February 2017.

The event will be part of our “Wear your gloves” campaign to raise awareness of Raynauds.

Donations of knitted gloves can be dropped off in the Department of Rheumatology at Queen Alexandra Hospital any time up to the day of the 1st February 2017.…

Read more of this article

ARMA welcomes Sue Brown as new CEO

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Sue Brown as the new CEO of ARMA with effect from the 13th February 2017. Following advertising, there was a very strong field of 15 candidates and Sue Brown was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.

Sue has a very strong background in leadership roles in the charity sector and in working successfully with voluntary sector alliances. She has been the Vice Chair of the large Care and Support Alliance and has worked for many years as Head of Public Policy for Sense (the deaf/blind charity) and previously for Mind.…

Read more of this article

NRAS becomes co-chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition

In 1968, the Beatles topped the charts with Hey Jude. That’s the same year the medical exemption list for Prescription Charges was written up. Treatments for RA, JIA and other long-term conditions have come on a lot in that time but other than the addition of Cancer in 2009 the list hasn’t changed.

Many of you know that campaigning for all long-term conditions to be added to the exemption list is one of NRAS’s campaign priorities for the year. We’re pleased to have stepped up to join Parkinson’s UK and Crohn’s & Colitis as co-chairs of the Prescription Charges Coalition.…

Read more of this article

Help shape the future of our society

The British Society for Rheumatology has a number of high profile and exciting positions available for members to apply.

Current vacancies:

  • BSR and BHPR President elect
  • Regional and Devolved Nation Chairs
  • BSR Standing Committee
  • BRiTs Advisory group
  • BHPR Council

Vacancies close: 28 March 2017

For more information speak to your regional chair or visit the BSR website.

BSR Rheumatology Researcher Mentoring Scheme

Have you signed up for the 2017 Rheumatology Researcher Mentoring Scheme?

The scheme provides support to individuals looking to move into an academic career or who would like to gain first hand research experience.…

Read more of this article

New Self-Management Event in Southampton

SME Southampton

Arthritis Action will be holding a new, two-day Self-Management Event on 14th and 15th February 2017, in Southampton.

We aim to help our attendees take control of the symptoms of their arthritis, covering topics such as:

  • The impact of physical therapies
  • How you can best manage your pain
  • The benefits of exercise and a healthy diet
  • Ways to work in partnership with healthcare professionals

This open event will be free of charge and refreshments will be provided.…

Read more of this article

Sugar Levy Funding Allocation – Sport in Schools

Comment by the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK

The Obesity Health Alliance, of which the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) is a member, has sent a briefing to MPs involved in the Westminster Hall debate on funding allocation of the soft drinks industry levy, highlighting its key messages.

The FSEM, which represents doctors and consultants skilled in Exercise Medicine, Musculoskeletal Medicine and Team Care, welcomes proposed government measures to invest revenue from the soft drinks industry levy in programmes to provide an increase in sport and physical activity for school aged children.…

Read more of this article