MSK & Arthritis News

JIA Explained booklet now in Welsh

JIA Wedi’i Egluro, bellach ar gael yn Gymraegkar!

NRAS has now made available their JIA Explained booklet as a free download in Welsh – thanks to the support from the Millenium Stadium Trust and the translation work by The Big Word. This newly translated resource is part of a wider project to make NRAS publications as inclusive and accessible as possible. As a national charity, being inclusive of all UK nations is an important part of this work. If you are a young person in Wales living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or their parent, understanding the condition can feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be.…

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NASS Supported self-management sessions in Wales

Healthcare professionals in Wales can now signpost their axial SpA patients to a free course of online and in-person self-management sessions. Patients will leave these sessions with more knowledge and confidence to manage their symptoms, with a welcoming community for long-term support. 

Visit the NASS website for more information. If you’d like free postcards to invite your patients, you can order them here.

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this project. If you’d like any more information, please contact zoe@nass.co.uk…

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Lupus UK Strategy insight surveys and focus groups

Lupus UK are conducting surveys and focus groups to develop their aims and priorities for the next 5 years. They want to hear from the whole lupus community about what you want and need, including people living with lupus and those who support them personally or professionally. Your voice matters, and Lupus UK is are listening.

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getUBetter MSK Digital self-management support webinar

Webinar: How Local Health Systems Can Leverage MSK Digital Self-Management to Support Return to Work

Join getUBetter for a live webinar with Frimley ICS as they share their insights from implementing digital self-management for common MSK conditions across their entire system. Learn how this approach is benefiting the local health system but also supporting the Working Well agenda.

The webinar is taking place on 20th March 2025 from 12:30pm-1:30pm.

Find more details on the webinar and register here.

ORUK Launches MSK Innovation Community

Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has established a community for people and institutions interested in innovation within MSK health. The Joint Venture: MSK Innovation Network was launched at an Unlocking innovation in musculoskeletal health event, hosted by ORUK.

The charity wants to attract innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and others interested in driving innovation and entrepreneurship within MSK health. It will act as host and facilitator, with the aim of building and nurturing an engaged community that provides:

  • A forum for debate.
…

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Getting it right for MSK – a win for everyone

ARMA CEOby Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

I’m writing this at the end of a busy week with the launch of our latest ICB report and three significant Government announcements about the NHS. I’m reflecting on what it means for addressing the issues raised by our analysis of ICB Joint Forward plans.

The report highlights that ICBs are not paying sufficient attention to MSK at a strategic level. The majority either don’t consider it at all or focus only on one or two parts of the system in silos.…

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Join the MSK Health inequalities community of practice

Are you working to tackle inequalities in musculoskeletal health? Do you want to connect with others who are facing the same challenges and are finding solutions?

Then ARMA’s community of practice is for you.

The next meeting will be 5 August 2025, 12.30 – 1.30pm

How it works:
Join us for monthly interactive Zoom sessions, where we bring together everyone committed to reducing MSK health inequalities. Each session includes:

✅ Presentations on key issues and innovative approaches
✅ Lively discussions in small groups to share experiences and strategies
✅ Peer support from others facing similar challenges

Who Should Join?…

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NRAS Local Groups

NRAS local groups are a wonderful place to share knowledge, enjoy engaging events and find friendship with others who know what living with rheumatoid arthritis is like. By joining an NRAS local group, people can find support, enjoy activities and learn from expert speakers.

For more information on upcoming local events, visit the event page on nras.org.uk.

For more information on NRAS Local Groups and NRAS JoinTogether online groups, please visit the NRAS Connect with others page.

Apni Jung leaflets now available in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi

As part of a commitment to increasing their support of South Asian communities across the UK impacted by Rheumatoid Arthritis, NRAS is pleased to announce the launch of three new patient-facing leaflets in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. 

These are now available as downloads or in hard copy for individuals and in quantity for rheumatology teams serving people from South Asian heritage, adding to the collective resources on the Apni Jung area of the NRAS website specifically for South Asian communities.

Also, a reminder that it is possible to translate the NRAS website into 16 different languages, which include Bengali and Gujarati (in addition to the above three South Asian languages) for South Asian people affected by RA. …

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New resource – updated psoriatic arthritis leaflet

The Psoriasis Association has had a busy year updating their leaflet series, with the re-imagined Psoriatic Arthritis Leaflet being the final installment. The new, vibrant leaflet features authentic images of people living with psoriatic arthritis. The leaflet discusses advice on when to see a rheumatologist as well as first-line and second-line treatments.

The resource is ideal to take along to any medical appointments to discuss treatment options and whether you may require a referral to a specialist.
The leaflet is now available to view and download on The Psoriasis Association website here.