Author: Garreth

Boost Your Immunity vaccinations campaign

This autumn/winter, flu vaccination and COVID-19 boosters will be critical to maximising uptake of both vaccines amongst eligible groups.

An integrated campaign will encourage uptake by signalling the importance of both vaccines and informing the public about the threat of both viruses circulating this winter, to overcome barriers and remind people of the benefits of vaccines.

Eligible cohorts for the COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine:

  • Pregnant women
  • People 50 years old and over
  • People aged 5-50 in groups at increased risk
  • Residents in care homes
  • Health and social care workers

Eligible cohorts for the free flu vaccine:

  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
  • all primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) and some secondary school aged children
  • those aged 6 months of age upwards in a clinical risk group
  • pregnant women
  • those aged 50 years and over
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if the carer gets sick
  • those that live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

A view from Wales: Overly optimistic or truly evolutionary, time will tell.

Reflection from the national clinical co-leads for the Welsh national musculoskeletal clinical Network

Dr Meinir Jones, General Practitioner, Associate Medical in HDUHB;
Dr Rob Letchford, Consultant Physiotherapist MSK rehabilitation in CAVUHB

Six months into these new roles, we find ourselves reaching a peak of optimism and enthusiasm for the future. In the aftermath of a devastating two years that has negatively affected so many, and left previously stretched health services with unprecedented challenges, that seems a ridiculous position to hold. Perhaps it’s our optimism (given the positive effects on health we recommend that you try it out too!).…

Read more of this article

Impactful learning at the NOA Annual Members’ Conference

The second annual, CPD-certified NOA Annual Members’ Conference was held in Birmingham on 19 October 2022. It was an impactful learning and networking opportunity for the orthopaedic community with over 100 guests in attendance.

The day’s sessions were not only of interest to clinicians and specialist trusts, but covered the entire orthopaedic spectrum and included a wide range of topics: from the national MSK strategy, shared decision-making and women in orthopaedics to data collection, orthopaedic surgical hubs, waiting lists and so much more.…

Read more of this article

iO Digital Convention 2022

This exclusive two-day digital event hosted by the Institute of Osteopathy starts on 25 November 2022. With two keynote sessions and 18 live workshops to choose from covering clinical, business and development topics, you will also have access to over 20 hours of CPD recordings.

During the event you will have exciting opportunities to virtually network and chat with delegates, speakers and exhibitors online.

Register your place at the iO Convention 2022.

NHS England Spinal MRI leaflets published

Two new leaflets, one for clinicians and another for patients, which aim to reduce unwarranted variation in requests for MRI scans for spinal conditions are now available from NHS England.

Developed by spinal clinicians in collaboration with lived experience partners and stakeholders, the leaflets support both patients and clinicians when considering whether an MRI scan is appropriate and interpreting the scan report.

The patient leaflet can be shared with patients before or during their MRI scan appointment and radiology departments may also wish to link to the advice leaflet on the spinal MRI report.

Managing chronic pain in primary care webinar

Managing chronic pain can be one of the most difficult aspects of primary care for both doctors and patients. This trainer led short course looks at the NICE chronic primary pain guidelines and ways to put these into practice.

This webinar will cover:

  • An outline of the NICE guidelines and what they mean for the doctor and patient
  • New consultation skills to manage difficult interactions
  • The principles of medication use
  • Resources that can help

Wednesday 30 November 2022, 6:30-8:30pm
Cost £25

Book your place on Managing chronic pain in primary care webinar – Step 1 (versusarthritis.org).

ARMA Lecture recording

Delivering equitable MSK healthcare: from prevention to highly specialised care 

Our annual lecture 2022 was given by Liz Lingard Delivery Partner, System Improvement, NHS England (North East & Yorkshire) followed by a panel discussion with Asim Suleman, GPwER Pain Management, and Jane Taylor, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 26 and is an ARMA trustee.

Our first hybrid event asked what drives inequalities in MSK health? What can be done to address this? A recording of the event is available to watch.  …

Read more of this article

MSK Toolkit supporting adolescents and young adults launched

SOM logoBSR banner

The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health Toolkit for employers and further education institutions – how to support adolescents and young adults to a better future has been launched.

There are two main aims of the toolkit:

  • To help employers and FE institutions understand the part they play in preventing MSK conditions;
  • To set out how they can support young people with chronic MSK conditions to realise their potential, thrive and remain in work or education.

The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the British Society for  Rheumatology and the Society of Occupational Medicine alongside clinical experts, patient representative groups, college and university representatives and adolescents and young people themselves.…

Read more of this article