Author: Garreth

Developments from the RCN Rheumatology Forum strategy meetings

During the last 12 months, the RCN Rheumatology Forum (RCNRF) has held two strategy meetings: one on 20 March 2018 and (a self-funded one) on the 28 November 2019, during which the following items were discussed and agreed.

Review of RCNRF publication:

The agreed projects for 2019/2020 include review of:

  • 2017 (4th edition) of the RCN Biologics guidance document for Rheumatology Practitioners – “Assessing, managing and monitoring Biologic therapies for Inflammatory Arthritis”
  • 2016 (3rd edition) of the RCN Administration of subcutaneous Methotrexate guidance document.
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RCN Rheumatology Forum workshop

The RCN Rheumatology Forum will hold their annual Rheumatology Nursing Workshop in London at the RCN HQ, on 28 June 2019.

Title and topics:
“RCN Rheumatology Nursing Workshop: Advances, innovations and challenges in rheumatology nursing”

20 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, London, W1G 0R
10:30 – 15:15

Are you an experienced or aspiring rheumatology nurse specialist, wanting to stay ahead of the curve? This clinically focused workshop is an opportunity to get the latest updates and developments to advance professional practice and deliver excellent patient care.…

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Guest blog: Keep on personalising care

by Sarah Duncan, Head of Clinical Policy, NHS England

An interview on the news recently about stem cell research into cartilage replacement for osteoarthritis, made me reflect on the phenomenal pace of change and progress in the relatively short time of my career. As a new physiotherapist in the mid-1980s we used short wave diathermy; long flexible heated tubes wrapped around a patient’s knees, to help with the pain of arthritis. Although patients really enjoyed the heat, it made little difference to their ongoing pain and mobility.…

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Versus Arthritis gives evidence to a Lords Committee about the social care needs of people with arthritis

Tracey Loftis, Head of Policy and Public Affairs Versus Arthritis, attended the Lords Economic Affairs Committee on Tuesday 4 December 2018 to talk about social care and the needs of people with arthritis, alongside colleagues from Mencap and the Alzheimer’s Society. 

In a wide-ranging session, Tracey highlighted Versus Arthritis’ research on aids and adaptations, the positive impact they have on the lives of people with arthritis and the challenges people still experience when trying to access them. Members of the Committee were particularly struck by the numbers of people affected by musculoskeletal conditions and the massive impact arthritis has on their lives. …

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National survey on use of local anaesthetic knee injections

BSRM are interested in understanding the variability between UK clinicians in the use of single dose local anaesthetics in intra-articular injections. Clinicians are invited to complete this 2-3 min survey at:

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KXRFQWN

3rd BSRM National MSK Medicine and Rehabilitation course

The programme for physicians taking place in Leeds, 11-13 Feb, is available here in PDF.
Booking is via the BSRM website.

This 3-day course is aimed at physicians managing non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions and will appeal to those in rehabilitation medicine, sport and exercise medicine, rheumatology, pain medicine, radiology, orthopaedics and general practice.…

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Every Patient, Every Time launched by NASS in Parliament

NASS was delighted to welcome 200 guests, including 30 MPs, to a reception at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 3 December to launch their Every Patient Every Time campaign and hold their Patients’ Choice Awards.

Announcements included the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Axial Spondyloarthritis, which will oversee the implementation of the NICE Guideline and Quality Standard for Spondyloarthritis, and the Aspiring to Excellence programme which will encourage rheumatology departments around the country to share best practice and improve services in a collaborative manner.…

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A Vision for Population Health

Despite improvements in life expectancy, England lags behind other countries on many key health outcomes. A new report from the Kings Fund argues that to address this, we need to move away from a system just focused on diagnosing and treating illness towards one that is based on promoting wellbeing and preventing ill health.

Population health is an approach that aims to improve physical and mental health outcomes, promote wellbeing and reduce health inequalities across an entire population. The King’s Fund’s vision is to reduce inequalities and achieve health outcomes on a par with the best in the world by focusing on population health locally, regionally and nationally.…

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AHPs – Developing new models to support system challenges

Guest blog by Suzanne Rastrick, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, NHS England

As I look back on 2018 it has been a great year for AHPs and for the NHS. 2018 has seen acknowledgement of ‘the Brilliance of AHPs’ by Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England and development of a number of work areas which have highlighted how AHPs can support the challenges faced by the Health and Social care system in England. AHPs are a diverse group of practitioners recognised for their autonomy with proven ability to apply innovative solutions to the challenges facing communities across health and social care, but also in wider settings such as education, the military, justice, independent and voluntary sectors.…

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Work Foundation Report – Who Cares?

The Work Foundation’s Health at Work Policy Unit  has published its latest report: Who cares? The implications of informal care and work for policymakers and employers.

The number of informal carers in the UK is substantial and growing. Between 2001 and 2011, their number rose significantly (outstripping population growth) from 5.8 million to 6.5 million. Most carers are women (around 60%) and the vast majority (around 4.1 million) are of working age. Furthermore, the majority of working age carers (2.6 million) combine work with their caring responsibilities.…

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