Author: Garreth

Save our data

ARMA CEOby Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

As the final draft of our report into the MSK health inequalities inquiry comes together, a few things have made me think about the importance of data.

First the good news. NHS England has published a statement on information on health inequalities. The Statement includes which information on health inequalities should be collected, analysed and published by NHS bodies in England. Sadly, it does not link to the conditions in the Major Conditions Strategy, so MSK is included only in the overall figures for elective care.…

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Information on Health Inequalities – NHSE

NHS England’s Statement on Information on Health Inequalities (duty under section 13SA of the National Health Service Act 2006) was published in November 2023.

Integrated care boards, trusts and foundation trusts should use this statement to identify key information on health inequalities and set out how they have responded to it in annual reports. The document sets out a range of indications which should be published by relevant NHS bodies in England.

The list does not include any MSK-specific measures, although elective care is included, of which MSK makes up a significant portion.…

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Aquatics and swimming programme for all health and social care staff

The Aquatic Activity and Swimming for Health e-learning programme is now available for everyone within health and social care settings.

Previously only available for colleagues with an NHS email address, the programme can now be accessed by all.

The resource, developed in partnership with Swim England, Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) and the University of Nottingham, raises awareness of the benefits of aquatic activity on health and wellbeing and will enhance learners’ confidence in identifying patients who would benefit most.…

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Environmental sustainability in orthopaedics

New white paper on environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery & MSK Health

Orthopaedic Research and The British Orthopaedic Trainees Association (BOTA) have co-authored a white paper on environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery and MSK Health.

As one of the largest areas of expenditure for the NHS, including 25% of the UK’s surgical workload, musculoskeletal (MSK) health has to be at the forefront of efforts to achieve a net zero NHS. The white paper summarises initiatives across healthcare, and specifically within MSK health to reduce its overall carbon footprint and provides case studies on practical ways in which clinical teams are embracing more environmentally sustainable practices, whilst maintaining standards of care.…

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Managing children’s chronic non-cancer pain better

Health researchers at the University of Stirling are calling for an overhaul of services for children living with chronic pain.

A new study, led by Dr Emma France and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, found children are often left without effective pain management and struggle to access support from health services.

The research, which was carried out over a three-year period, is the first to specifically look at all the research about how children living with chronic pain and their families are experiencing pain and pain management.…

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Karen Middleton: the past and future of MSK Physiotherapy

The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM) has been very fortunate to have Karen Middleton, recently retired as CEO of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, as its President for many years and we thank her for her valuable contribution to SOMM and wish her well as she retires from that role as well.

Professor Karen Middleton CBE was the CSP’s first woman chief executive, and also the first to be a member of the physiotherapy profession.

She was made a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) for advancing the physiotherapy profession, developing leadership capacity and promoting professionalism, through her role as Chief Allied Health Profession Officer at NHS England, before joining the CSP as Chief Executive in February 2014.…

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CCAA Family Residential Support Weekend 2024

The CCAA Family Support weekend is organised for the children and families that live with the effects of JIA. For over 25 years, CCAA have been organising weekends of fun activities for the kids and informative support sessions, led by Health Professionals, for the parents. Not only is the weekend a unique opportunity for your family to meet and share experiences with other families, the children meet others in similar situations, realising they are not alone and often leave with lasting friendships.…

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Arthritis Action launches new three-year strategy

Focusing on improving daily life with arthritis for all

UK Charity Arthritis Action has released its new three-year strategy setting out key objectives to improve daily life with arthritis for all, through self-management. The plan, which builds on its previous 2021-2023 strategy, highlights six key strategic priorities.

Arthritis has traditionally been seen as a condition of older age. Central to Arthritis Action’s aims are to reach more young adults across the UK and support more people in work of all ages.…

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New FSEM Diploma in Exercise Medicine

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (FSEM UK) has launched a new Diploma in Exercise Medicine.

This Diploma sets the standard for Exercise Medicine knowledge across the breadth of healthcare professions, a benchmark against which both commissioners and patients can quality assure.

Learn more about the course and apply here.

Applications Close: 26th January 2024

Exam Date: 28th February 2024

Further information on the diploma, including Exam Regulations, Syllabus and Candidate Protocol can also be found on the website.…

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