Arthritis News & Musculoskeletal News from ARMA's Members

Webinar – getUBetter in MSK Physiotherapy setting

On 19 January 2023, getUBetter is running a webinar with Somerset MSK Physiotherapy service practitioners to discuss their experiences of implementing the getUBetter digital self-management tool across their clinical services. They will share the results of their evaluation of the app’s impact across the service, where they found a 50% reduction in patients needing physiotherapy after the getUBetter app was given to those on their waiting list.

Digital self-management support for patients on physiotherapy waiting lists
19 January 2023
12:30 – 13:30 GMT, online

The webinar will provide opportunities for interactive discussion about the benefits that are being realised in this setting.…

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Will we be brave enough?

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 17 November, ARMA wrote to the Chancellor to outline the impact of the cost of living crisis on people with MSK conditions and the importance of the NHS for growth in the economy. I don’t think I was alone in fearing that the statement would see cuts in funding for the NHS and social care. Thankfully those fears were unfounded, although many feel that the funding announced was not enough.

We asked three things in the letter:

That cost of living support be targeted at those who need it most, including those with health conditions where keeping warm is important.

…

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NICE call for orthopaedic surgeon

NICE – call for orthopaedic surgeon to join NICE interventional Procedures Advisory Committee

NICE is looking for members to join the committee which has a three-year time commitment. They are currently recruiting for an orthopaedic surgeon and the closing date for applications is 5pm, Wednesday 21 December 2022.

For full details see the interventional procedures advisory committee page.

New2JIA Right Start service

A new service from NRAS, New2JIA Right Start, was launched in November to offer support to families of children newly diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

The service aims to help families better understand JIA, feel more in control of managing their child’s condition, and not feel alone at what can be a daunting and overwhelming time. New2JIA Right Start has initially been launched at five hospitals, but by May next year all hospitals who treat children with JIA can refer families to this new service.…

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SMILE-RA e-learning modules

SMILE enables you to find out about different aspects of living with RA in a unique and engaging way and involve your family as you can do it in your own time, at your own pace and re-visit modules of particular interest.

It’s free to register and very easy to use. You select which module you want to watch and there are currently five modules to choose from. We shall be launching the sixth module soon!

The current modules are:

Visit the nras.org.uk…

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What do A.S. patients value and need?

New research from NASS reveals what patients with axial SpA value during diagnosis, treatment and care

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has released the findings of its latest research initiative in a report titled ‘What do patients value and need in the diagnosis, treatment and care of axial spondyloarthritis?’

The research set out to understand the needs and values of people living with axial SpA in diagnosing and managing the condition and to assess the extent to which these are reflected in people’s experiences of services.…

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Failings in axial SpA care provision

MP led inquiry reveals continued failings in the provision of axial SpA care in England.

Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) are still receiving a poor standard of care and being systematically let down by the health care system, despite an investigation that called for urgent improvements in 2020, according to a new MP led national inquiry.

The findings from the inquiry, led by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Axial Spondyloarthritis (APPG), are based on responses from 85 NHS Trusts and 36 Integrated Care Boards to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.…

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Webinar for social prescribing

12.30 – 1.30pm, Monday 30 January 2023

To support our resource on social prescribing, ARMA is organising a webinar: Understanding musculoskeletal health for social prescribing.

This is aimed at social prescribing services and link workers NOT MSK professionals. Please promote this event to your local social prescribing services.

It is designed to complement our guide for link workers and social prescribing services.

ARMA would like to thank Arthritis Action for their support of this webinar.

Airing Pain podcast episode: mental defeat

Pain Concern has announced their new podcast episode: Warwick Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain.

Airing Pain #134 description:
What is mental defeat and does it have an impact on the experiences of those living with pain?

In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul Evans interviews the team at the Warwick Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain (WITHIN Project) and research participants, as well as taking part in the study as a participant himself. The study, which runs until May 2023, is investigating how mental defeat can influence pain sensation, sleep patterns, social activity, physical activity and the general health of individuals who have chronic pain.…

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HEE quick guide on Osteopathy published

Health Education England and the Institute of Osteopathy have published a quick guide to support the understanding of the value that osteopaths can bring to productive NHS services.

The guide, which looks to facilitate the best use of the multi-professional workforce, is aimed at clinical leads, workforce leads, operational managers and any senior leaders who are involved in workforce development.

Read the report here.