MSK & Arthritis News

NASS driving service improvements

New report sheds light on game-changing innovations in axial SpA care

The report, Driving Improvements in Axial SpA Services: Building Foundations through Aspiring to Excellence was produced and published by the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS), and launched on 22 October 2021. This is the first detailed account of service improvement projects undertaken by rheumatology teams across the UK as part of the Aspiring to Excellence programme. 

Every team on the programme is working on a project that will improve diagnosis, treatment and care for patients with axial SpA.…

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SMILE-RA introductory video

SMILE-RA is a unique and engaging e-learning experience for people with RA and their families who want to understand more about RA, its treatments and how to support their loved one. SMILE-RA has a modular approach to learning, so each module is on a particular theme or subject and takes between 20 mins and half an hour to complete.

There is an intuitive interface which makes it easy to use and navigate around. After registering and completing the Foundation module which includes baseline evaluation questions, users can then direct their own learning experience and choose whichever modules are of interest to explore next.…

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Relaunched Managing JIA in School booklet

booklet imageOn World Arthritis Day, JIA-at-NRAS relaunched their Managing JIA in School booklet. The update provides information on all aspects of education and is a useful resource for parents, teachers and for the child themselves. There is more information about how to inform the school about your child’s JIA, individual health care plan, tips for teachers and children and how to manage flares in school.

There are also a range of articles aimed at improving the experience of going through school with JIA, with helpful information on a range of aspects of school life, including completing an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) and covering letter to the school, coping with exam stress and minimising the effect of heavy school bags on the joints.…

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Arthritis Action seeks trustees

Arthritis Action is looking for trustees with access to an established professional network, who can advise their growing organisation and support the delivery of their exciting new strategy.

They welcome new trustees with expertise in marketing & communications, fundraising & income generation, strategic planning, human resources, legal.

Arthritis Action would especially like to hear from individuals from under-represented or diverse groups.

Download the Trustee Recruitment Pack [opens PDF].

To apply, please email your CV and covering letter to shantel@arthritisaction.org.uk.

Interviews will take place as applications are received.

North Wales ARMA Network group report

Guest blog by Stephen Mack-Smith BSc, DC, MRCC. MEAC
Chair, North Wales ARMA

I received a letter about 14 years ago from my professional association looking for volunteers to join an umbrella group of patients and professionals with an interest in MSK problems. Funding for three years came from the English NHS, and fortune had it that owing to lobbying from North West Wales professionals within ARMA, a Pilot ARMA Network Group was formed in March 2007. It was the only one in Wales.…

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Osteopaths role in MSK Service delivery

Amanda Hensman-Crook, AHP National Clinical Fellow from Health Education England, led a vibrant keynote speech at the recent Institute of Osteopathy Convention. Amanda focused on First Contact MSK roles and the Advanced Practice agenda and how osteopaths are part of the contemporary healthcare environment to support MSK service delivery.

Amanda also briefed about an MSK educational roadmap to Advanced Practice and a ground-breaking collaboration that will create a single set of UK MSK standards that will leave a legacy both nationally and internationally.…

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Collaboration, prevention and community: opportunities in MSK

We are all aware of the increasingly desperate need to restore NHS services. Our patient member organisations tell us of the calls they are getting from people who can’t access the services they need. Private practitioners such as physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors report high levels of activity as those who can afford to pay for services, and their concerns about those who can’t afford to pay. Clearly this must be a priority, but how can we do this differently, not just pile pressure on an exhausted and depleted NHS workforce?…

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Orthopaedic recovery webinar

NOA Webinar – Orthopaedic Recovery: Prioritisation and Harms Review

17 November 2021 at 1pm

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with a major challenge in orthopaedic recovery. The inevitable delays mean we need to ensure the most urgent cases are given the correct priority and that we identify potential and real harm during this process. This has meant a big increase in work for Clinicians and supporting management. The next NOA webinar focuses on this challenge and hears from three NOA member organisations sharing their experiences.…

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New & improved app for teens and young adults

After a successful launch last year, Versus Arthritis has exciting news about the next evolution of their free app, “Arthritis Tracker”. Available on Android and iPhone, the symptom and wellbeing tracker can help health professionals make the most of the time they have with patients and quickly get an understanding of some the key issues that a young person is facing, leaving more time to discuss treatment options.

“The app is great – I am actively encouraging young people in my clinic to use it.

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New stretching videos to help keep moving and manage your arthritis

stretching 2Versus Arthritis has developed ten new stretching ‘follow along’ videos specifically to help people with arthritis to maintain flexibility and to help relieve stiffness.

The 15-minute ‘follow along’ format means that the videos can be easily incorporated into people’s daily routine. All of the exercises are designed to be done at home with some of the fun movements making use of everyday household objects.

This video series will form a key part of Let’s Move, a dedicated programme funded by Sport England for people with arthritis who want more movement in their lives.…

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