MSK & Arthritis News

BCA Launches Patient Charter

The British Chiropractic Association Launches Patient Charter to Members and the Public

In November, the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) launched its new Patient Charter to its members and the general public, as part of the second phase of its ‘Repositioning Project’ which aims to continue the BCA’s mission to be ‘the home of chiropractors who put patients first’. The Patient Charter is a pledge, from BCA chiropractors to their patients, to remind them of the quality care they’ll receive which is laid out in such a way that any patient can start a conversation from it, and any chiropractor can explain it without much labour.…

Read more of this article

Guest blog: People before Technology – Best Musculoskeletal Health for all

by Melanie Martin, Senior Delivery Manager (Innovation) & Digital Lead, Best MSK Health Programme, NHS England

Technology plays an ever-increasing role in our daily lives, including in healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has made an indelible impact upon the uptake of healthcare technology with 30 million people accessing the NHS app and the opportunity to book repeat prescriptions, access a Covid travel pass and sign up to organ donation.  We have learnt how people adapted quickly to the delivery of musculoskeletal (MSK) services during the pandemic, for example through telephone and video consultations. …

Read more of this article

Core20PLUS5 for young people

NHS England’s Core20PLUS5 approach is now applied to children and young people.

Core20PLUS5 is an NHS England approach that focuses on the 20% most deprived of the national population plus specific communities which experience inequality. It identifies five clinical areas requiring targeted improvement.

Initially focused on healthcare inequalities amongst the adult population, the approach has now been applied to children and young people.

Whilst not covering musculoskeletal health specifically, everyone working in paediatric MSK services should look at the Core20PLUS5 relevant to their own area to help target their work on inequalities.…

Read more of this article

New evidence of MSK podiatry services effectiveness

RCPod logoThe Royal College of Podiatry publishes new evidence toolkit showing the effectiveness of musculoskeletal Podiatry services.

In November, the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) published a new evidence toolkit showing the effectiveness of MSK Podiatry services across the four nations of the UK, detailing the changes MSK services can make to patients’ health, function, and quality of life.

The toolkit:

  • identifies the ideal referral and patient journey;
  • reviews the impact of MSK Podiatry treatment on patients;
  • provides case studies to show examples of best practice;
  • uses evidence to outline the costs of running an MSK Podiatry service and;
  • provides evidence on the most effective treatments for many MSK conditions.


Read more of this article

Boost Your Immunity vaccinations campaign

This autumn/winter, flu vaccination and COVID-19 boosters will be critical to maximising uptake of both vaccines amongst eligible groups.

An integrated campaign will encourage uptake by signalling the importance of both vaccines and informing the public about the threat of both viruses circulating this winter, to overcome barriers and remind people of the benefits of vaccines.

Eligible cohorts for the COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine:

  • Pregnant women
  • People 50 years old and over
  • People aged 5-50 in groups at increased risk
  • Residents in care homes
  • Health and social care workers

Eligible cohorts for the free flu vaccine:

  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
  • all primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) and some secondary school aged children
  • those aged 6 months of age upwards in a clinical risk group
  • pregnant women
  • those aged 50 years and over
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if the carer gets sick
  • those that live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

A view from Wales: Overly optimistic or truly evolutionary, time will tell.

Reflection from the national clinical co-leads for the Welsh national musculoskeletal clinical Network

Dr Meinir Jones, General Practitioner, Associate Medical in HDUHB;
Dr Rob Letchford, Consultant Physiotherapist MSK rehabilitation in CAVUHB

Six months into these new roles, we find ourselves reaching a peak of optimism and enthusiasm for the future. In the aftermath of a devastating two years that has negatively affected so many, and left previously stretched health services with unprecedented challenges, that seems a ridiculous position to hold. Perhaps it’s our optimism (given the positive effects on health we recommend that you try it out too!).…

Read more of this article

Impactful learning at the NOA Annual Members’ Conference

The second annual, CPD-certified NOA Annual Members’ Conference was held in Birmingham on 19 October 2022. It was an impactful learning and networking opportunity for the orthopaedic community with over 100 guests in attendance.

The day’s sessions were not only of interest to clinicians and specialist trusts, but covered the entire orthopaedic spectrum and included a wide range of topics: from the national MSK strategy, shared decision-making and women in orthopaedics to data collection, orthopaedic surgical hubs, waiting lists and so much more.…

Read more of this article

iO Digital Convention 2022

This exclusive two-day digital event hosted by the Institute of Osteopathy starts on 25 November 2022. With two keynote sessions and 18 live workshops to choose from covering clinical, business and development topics, you will also have access to over 20 hours of CPD recordings.

During the event you will have exciting opportunities to virtually network and chat with delegates, speakers and exhibitors online.

Register your place at the iO Convention 2022.