Author: Garreth

BMI restrictions on surgery worsen health inequalities

Researchers have found a drop in the number of knee replacement operations carried out in regions of England with restrictions on surgery for overweight patients, with people in more deprived areas worst affected.

The research team from the University of Bristol found that patients needing surgery but who are unable to lose weight are being denied surgery that could ease pain and increase mobility. By looking at patients’ postcodes, the researchers could see that people from more deprived areas appeared more likely to be denied surgery.…

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Anthony Woolf retires from ARMA Board

ARMA bids a fond farewell to Professor Anthony Woolf, who retires from the board of trustees in July.

Tony Woolf served nine years on the ARMA board, two years as vice-chair and seven years as chair. In his role on the board, Tony ardently supported the drive for everyone with MSK conditions to receive appropriate, high-quality interventions to promote their health and well-being in a timely manner. Tony supported ARMA’s aim to engage with policy delivery and practice, better health services for people with MSK and furthering evidence-based MSK pathways, so that there is greater recognition and priority for people’s MSK health.…

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NOA NCIP webinar

NOA webinar: National Consultant Information Portal (NCIP) Orthopaedic Roll Out

6 July 2022
1pm – 2.15pm

The next NOA webinar will look at the National Consultant Information Programme (NCIP) roll out in Orthopaedic Surgery across England.

Speakers include:

  • Stephen Lowis, NCIP Programme Implementation and Insights Lead, NHS England and NHS Improvement
  • Marina Bogovac, Head of NCIP, NHS England and NHS Improvement
  • Deborah Higgs, NCIP Orthopaedic Clinical Lead and Clinical Director Specialist Surgeries, Consultant Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS FT

Register to attend here.…

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Constellations, not stars

by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

Last week I attended a National Voices conference about ICS and the voluntary sector. One thing that really struck a chord with me was a speaker outlining his principles for collaborative success *:

  • Mission before organisation
  • Trust, not control
  • Promote others not yourself
  • Build constellations not stars

By the time you read this, the new statutory integrated care systems will have some into existence. If they follow these principles, they could contribute a lot to improve health services.…

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PCRMM webinar: All About PMR

19 July 2022

This extremely informative and interesting webinar will discuss in depth the diagnosis and treatment of Polymyalgia rheumatica. It will be hosted by Dr Sarah Mackie and Dr Bharat Kandikonda, both well-known experts in this area.

They will discuss what PMR is, how to diagnose it, how to treat it and when to refer on.

Book you place here.

Embedding personalised care within MSK-integrated services

Chloe Stewartby Dr Chloe Stewart, health psychologist and national clinical advisor in personalised care, NHS England

It’s strange how certain moments in life stay with you, etched in your memory while others disappear forever. Sometimes the things we remember are not the big things but small and seemingly insignificant moments. I remember a distinct moment during my health psychology training, some twenty years ago now, when I realised just how much more needs to be done to ensure a shift in power between healthcare professionals and patients.…

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NRAS Stress Matters survey

At the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), research helps develop and deliver services to best meet the needs of all those living with inflammatory arthritis. NRAS is planning to develop resources with practical information about managing stress levels. The ‘Stress Matters’ project is an NRAS initiative that aims to develop a better understanding on the topic and develop appropriate resources for people living with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

To kick off the project NRAS has developed a survey to gather your lived experiences of how stress impacts your arthritis as well as your insights into what sort of support, if any, you’ve found or have been offered, that helps.…

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PERFORM Service Provider Advisory Group

Opportunity for involvement in research

The PERFORM research programme is looking at ways to support people with two or more long-term conditions to improve their quality of life. The first part of the study involves working with patients and with service providers to develop a novel multimorbidity exercise-based rehabilitation programme.

To help them develop a programme of support, the researchers want to form a Service Provider Advisory Group consisting of service providers who deliver or manage services for people with long-term conditions.…

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AI in Orthopaedics conference

AI in Orthopaedics, 27 September 2022, London

Orthopaedic Research UK are organising the first national conference dedicated to the role of AI within orthopaedics.

It’s designed to cut through the hype and focus on practical ways in which AI, underpinned by Big Data, can be used to benefit patients and the NHS. Speakers will include senior clinicians, researchers and technologists actively involved in AI projects within orthopaedics, plus NHS leaders and policy makers and include George Freeman (MP) and Ming Tan (NHSE).…

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