Garreth | Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance

Speaker announced for Back Pain Show

A top Birmingham physio who will be speaking at The Back Pain Show in the Spring has identified a radical new approach to promoting recovery from the scourge of back pain which affects 75 per cent of the UK population.

Changing what you think and do about back pain and introducing 7/11 breathing are two of 10 tips on a brand new list of what to do to get your own back on back pain, put together by David Rogers, a physiotherapist based at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham.…

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Response to new rules protecting children from ‘junk food’ advertising

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) UK welcomes new rules by the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) to ban the advertising of high fat, salt and sugar food and drink products in children’s media and supports both the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) and the Children’s Food Campaign in their responses to the measures, calling for loopholes to be closed.

The FSEM, as part of the OHA, is calling for a sustained increase in regular physical activity, according to UK Chief Medical Officer guidelines, to be part of all children’s daily routines to prevent and manage obesity, alongside measures to reduce the consumption of less healthy food and drink.…

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NICE publishes updated advice on treating low back pain

NICE’s updated guideline on low back pain and sciatica recommends exercise in all its forms – for example stretching, strengthening, aerobics or yoga – as the first step in managing the condition.

The guideline also recommends encouraging people to continue with normal activities as far as possible. However the guideline says massage and manipulation should only be used with exercise because there is not enough evidence to show they are of benefit when used alone.

The updated guideline has been expanded to include people with sciatica, a painful condition typically caused by irritation or compression of the nerves which run from the lower back, through the legs and down to the feet.…

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Improving lives: the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper

Last month the Government announced a major consultation on helping disabled people and people with health conditions into work: Improving lives: the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper.

The Green Paper, published on 31 October by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health, looks at new ways to support people with health conditions and disabled people into work as well as supporting and caring for those who cannot work.

The scope of the Green Paper is very broad, covering health and employment as well as benefits and support.…

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Realising the Value

What is a good outcome?

We’re two years into delivery of the Five Year Forward View, the document heralded as a blueprint for bridging the gaps in finance, quality and prevention. Chapter Two of that seminal document sets out a vision for a ‘new relationship with people and communities’…

But what does that actually mean?

The Realising the Value programme has spent 18 months seeking to turn those words into a more deliverable reality. It is an important body of work delivered by Nesta, the Health Foundation, National Voices, Regional Voices, NAVCA, Volunteering Matters and others.…

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NOS and USBJI create osteoporosis animated video

The National Osteoporosis Society, in conjunction with the United States Bone and Joint Initiative, has worked on an animation about osteoporosis which they have remastered for a UK audience. The animation has been voiced by the charity’s ambassador, Miriam Margolyes, famous the world over for her hundreds of film, theatre and television credits including Harry Potter, Blackadder and the Real Marigold Hotel.

The animation, titled “Learn more about osteoporosis with Miriam Margolyes,” is finished and ready to be launched. ARMA members who would like to see it pre-release can contact Sarah Wolf at the NOS to attain a preview password. …

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Advancing Healthcare Awards 2017

Nominations for the 2017 Advancing Healthcare Awards are now officially open.

Established in 2005, the awards are a free-to-enter, self-nomination based programme open to all UK Allied Health Professionals working in and alongside the NHS. Nominations are made online via the website and remain open till 13th January 2017.

Shortlisting is then carried out by a mix of sponsors, supporters and VIPs, with all shortlisted entrants invited to the judging day in London on 14th February and the ceremony itself in London on 31st March 2017 organised by Chamberlain Dunn events.…

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NRAS Healthcare Champions 2016

On 2nd November, NRAS held its 5th Healthcare Champions awards ceremony in Portcullis House, Westminster, with the kind permission of the Prime Minister and NRAS Founding Patron, the Rt. Hon Theresa May MP.

The event was a resounding success with over 80 NRAS Members, healthcare professionals, MPs and special guests attending.

The awards provide the opportunity to celebrate the dedication, professionalism and excellent care given by those healthcare professionals that go ‘the extra mile’ to provide the best possible outcomes for the many people living with RA and JIA, whilst also working in a challenging environment of NHS reforms and financial cuts. …

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Direct access to physiotherapy benefits MSK patients

Between 20 and 30% of a GP caseload is made up of patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions; by expanding the availability of physiotherapy in general practice, GP time is freed up and patients are put in the driving seat, receiving the right care from the right professional. Physiotherapists are experts regarding MSK issues and have the same high safety record as GPs.

There are already examples of experienced physiotherapists working alongside GPs as the first point of contact for MSK patients.…

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National Clinical Audit – Collection of case studies

BSR have produced a collection of case studies which highlight and share best practice between the rheumatology services that took part in the National Clinical Audit for rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis.

Following the publication of the second annual report in July 2016, BSR undertook an analysis to identify providers which had performed well in relation to NICE Quality Standard 33 and, specifically, each of the statements within the standard. These providers were contacted and asked to submit case studies to explain how they had achieved these results and confirmation that their clinical lead was happy to provide peer support to other units.…

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