MSK health – not just doctors and nurses

CEO update by Sue Brown, ARMA

The general election is now in full swing. In amongst the Brexit debate, the NHS has been getting quite a bit of attention, albeit somewhat narrow in focus. I hope that after the election, whoever is in government, this debate will widen so that we can talk about health, not just the NHS, about more than hospitals, doctors and nurses.

One other thing an election brings is restrictions on what government bodies are allowed to do.…

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Latest Productive Healthy Ageing Profile

Public Health England has published the Productive Healthy Ageing Profile data update for November 2019.

This tool provides data on a wide range of topics relevant to healthy ageing. Indicators can be examined at local, regional or national level.

The aim of this tool is to support PHE productive healthy ageing policy and inform public health leads and the wider public health system about relevant key issues.

Many indicators are also now available for the latest local authority and clinical commissioning group geographies.  

Annual ARMA Lecture 2019

20 November 2019

Introduced by Sue Brown ARMA CEO and Liam O’Toole, CEO, Versus Arthritis who partnered with ARMA for this flagship lecture, the two presenters Sue Patey and Dr Brendon Stubbs, delivered speeches to an attentive audience of patients, public health, health education and NHS officials.

Sue Patey, who has arthritis, spoke about the impact arthritis had on getting dressed, eating and on her mental health in a moving, honest speech.

Dr Brendon Stubbs is Head of Physiotherapy, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and NIHR Clinical Lecturer at Kings College London.…

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Guest blog: The fight against fragility fractures

by Ellie Davies, Acting Project Manager, Falls and Fragility Fracture Audit Programme (FFFAP)

The challenge:

520,000 cases of fragility fracture occur every year amongst those (primarily over-50s) suffering with the bone-weakening disease known as osteoporosis. That is 520,000 broken bones caused by as little as slipping in the shower, stepping off a curb even. This is not only a huge economic burden on the NHS, approximately £5.25 billion, but an epidemic that has lasting physical and emotional repercussions for sufferers. It is upsetting to learn that 42% of older people say that osteoporosis has made them feel more socially isolated.…

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Quality in osteopathic practice report

The Quality in Osteopathic Practice report brings together existing research around the patient experience with research on clinical effectiveness and the safety of osteopathic practice.

Full of useful statistics and information, the report is relevant to anyone who has an interest in finding out more about osteopathic practice and the evidence that there is available, whether as a patient or a member of the wider general public, a private or NHS commissioner of service or other colleagues in healthcare.

Read the Quality in Osteopathic Practice report from the Institute of Osteopathy.

Could you be a 2020 MSK Champion?

Dates for the next Versus Arthritis MSK Champion programme are now live on their website!

Following the successful launch of Versus Arthritis’s Musculoskeletal Champions programme in 2018, they’re recruiting the third cohort of inspirational leaders committed to championing change in musculoskeletal (MSK) health care.

If your application to this programme is successful, you will be coached to develop your personal leadership skills, and drive forward a service improvement project with an MSK focus.

Applications open from 30 March 2020.
Find out more here.

Moving Medicine – Active Conversations

Many of us know that our patients’ lives could be so much better if they move just a little more. Active Conversations has been developed by Moving Medicine in partnership with the Academy for Health Coaching and is a practical, evidence-based online learning course worth 16 CPD points, that teaches clinicians how to have quick, effective and positive conversations that encourage patients to do more physical activity.

The course is comprised of 6 modules over 12 weeks, and the next course is starting on 6 January 2020.…

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BASRAT Sport Rehabilitation brought to life

BASRaT registrar Ollie Coburn has produced a short video illustrating his profession.

Sport Rehabilitators aid people with musculoskeletal pain, injury or illness. They help people to maintain their health and fitness, recover from and prevent injury and reduce pain using exercise, movement and therapy.

The video “Sport Rehabilitation brought to life in 38 seconds!” can be viewed here.

Hospitals join Aspiring to Excellence programme

NASS announces the first six hospitals to join its Aspiring to Excellence programme

On 16th November, NASS celebrated the six winners of the first ever Aspiring to Excellence awards during a ceremony at the NASS Voices London event. The day was attended by over 100 people, all with an interest in axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) and marks the start of the multi-year programme. 

Aspiring to Excellence is designed to encourage and recognise service improvement in axial SpA care and is the largest of its kind in the UK.…

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New course: Consultation and Clinical Examination Effectiveness in MSK Medicine

The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine has launched a new course in collaboration with Effective Professional Interactions (EPI), aimed at first contact practitioners – GPs, Allied Health Professionals and Nurse Practitioners.

The two-day course aims to increase consultation and clinical examination effectiveness in MSK Medicine and includes how to exclude red flags.

Read the Consultation and Clinical Examination Effectiveness in MSK Medicine programme for course details, fees and booking.