MSK & Arthritis News

Physical Activity Resources from Moving Medicine

Moving Medicine Launches Physical Activity Resources on Anxiety, Type 1 Diabetes, Obesity, and Menopause

Moving Medicine have launched four new resources designed to help healthcare professionals have better conversations about physical activity with people suffering from anxiety, people with type 1 diabetes, people who are obese, and people experiencing menopause.

The free online consultation guides cover the main benefits of physical activity, as well as addressing common barriers that healthcare professionals encounter when talking to people about becoming more active and offering support and ideas on how to navigate them.…

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Failings in osteoporosis diagnosis and care

Parliamentary inquiry finds systemic failings in osteoporosis diagnosis and care 

On Wednesday 30 November 2022, staff members, volunteers and trustees from the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) joined Parliamentarians in Westminster to launch a report based on the findings of the All–Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Osteoporosis and Bone Health’s inquiry into primary care. 

Primary care is the front door to the NHS, with GPs playing a vital role in identifying people at high risk of breaking bones before they happen.…

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NASS medication guidance during pregnancy

NASS hosting Facebook Live with BSR on latest medication guidance during pregnancy and breastfeeding 

The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) will be live on the NASS Facebook page at 1pm, 15 December 2022 to explain the latest guidance on medication for inflammatory arthritis when you’re trying for a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding. The video will stay on the Facebook page and be uploaded to the NASS website afterwards.

Watch the video here on Facebook from 15 December.

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.…

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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. …

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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.…

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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.
…

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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!).…

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