Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
Influencing policy and care together for best lifelong musculoskeletal health
A new publication from National Voices Timely access to care: Principles for recovery argues for an inclusive, equitable and person-centred recovery, focusing on the whole person, in the context of their lives, and the whole system, and the context within which it is operating. There are three sets of recommendations: one for government and system leaders, one for people planning and delivering services and one for the VCSE.
Access the document here.
The draft NICE joint replacement quality standard consultation is now open:
Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder
Comments can be submitted on the NICE website by 13 December 2021.
Expected publication date: 29 March 2022.
New videos of Facebook Live sessions on psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and lifestyle now available
The Psoriasis Association is delighted to bring you recordings from the two Facebook Live sessions that we held during Psoriasis Awareness Week 2021. The videos feature information and advice from experts in nutrition and exercise, based on this year’s Psoriasis Awareness Week theme – lifestyle factors that may be important to consider when living with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis – including diet and exercise.
The first video ‘Pso: Let’s Talk Food’ sees Consultant Dermatologist and nutrition expert, Dr Thiviyani Maruthappu, and Professor of Health Psychology/Behavioural Medicine at Cardiff University, Professor Christine Bundy, examine the evidence for nutrition in psoriasis.…
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In 2016, the Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis at the University of Manchester ran a large study, collecting data about people’s symptoms and comparing this to the weather.
Using this data, the researchers are now aiming to build a pain forecast. This will be like a weather forecast but used for predicting pain severity in the near future. Being able to forecast pain severity in this way will provide benefits for patients in the future.
In this second phase, a survey will ask people with chronic pain what information that they would be interested in receiving about pain severity.…
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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 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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On 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 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.
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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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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