Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
Influencing policy and care together for best lifelong musculoskeletal health
The Institute of Osteopathy has been leading on the development of a pre-registration degree apprenticeship standard for Osteopathy.
The funding band for the apprenticeship standard has now been approved by the Secretary of State. The standard itself was officially published on the Skills England website on 18 February 2026.
The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM) is pleased to share an exciting update ahead of the new academic year.
Since its development in 2000 in partnership with Middlesex University, the MSc in Musculoskeletal Medicine has continued to evolve. In 2018, the programme moved to Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, where it successfully ran until August 2024.
SOMM is delighted to announce that QMU now offers a part‑time, fully online MSc / PgDip Advancing Practice in Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Health professionals who have completed SOMM’s Foundation in Musculoskeletal Medicine module (SOMM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine) within the last five years, worth 60 master’s‑level credits, are eligible to apply.…
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The RCC President-Elect, Stuart Smellie and Chief Executive, Susie Isaacson were delighted to be invited to share the formal celebrations as Professor Christina Cunliffe OBE, Principal of McTimoney College of Chiropractic was awarded her Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle.
This was a proud moment to celebrate all of Christina’s many achievements and she was joined by family, friends, colleagues, patients and members of the chiropractic community. We were delighted to share this momentous occasion to celebrate Christina’s personal ambition and all that she represents for the profession as a whole.…
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Ever wondered what happens to your blood when you give it for research?
Children and young people living with paediatric rheumatology conditions told us they wanted to know more about what happens to blood samples donated for research. CCAA – Kids With Arthritis worked with a young person living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and the team at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health to show step-by-step how a blood sample is handled and stored in the laboratories.
By sharing this video, CCAA hopes to help patients and their families feel more informed about what happens when they donate blood samples for research.…
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Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has announced a £100,000 investment in VerIQ Limited, a UK-based MedTech clinical research accelerator, through a convertible loan agreement. The investment will help advance VerIQ’s mission to transform how medical device and health technology research is delivered; ensuring that exciting new innovations reach our patients faster, with uncompromising scientific integrity.
This strategic partnership reinforces ORUK’s commitment to improve musculoskeletal health and patient outcomes. The funding will enable VerIQ to expand its nationwide network of orthopaedic and MedTech clinical research sites, focusing initially on improved treatment for improved musculoskeletal health.…
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Pain Alliance Europe is pleased to share an invitation to take part in the QSPainRelief-patientPREF study, an important initiative seeking to better understand the real-life experiences and preferences of people living with chronic pain, with the aim of contributing to improved future treatment options.
Participation in the questionnaire is entirely voluntary, all data are fully anonymised, and once the questionnaire is completed and analysed, the results will be shared with participating patients in an accessible and transparent way.
In this first questionnaire, you will be asked to:
The questionnaire can be found here.…
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All-Party Parliamentary Group publishes report on osteoporosis
The APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health has published Seen, Heard, Supported: Transforming Osteoporosis Care. Drawing on survey data from over 3,300 patients, the report found more than half of people with osteoporosis had no NHS contact about their condition in the past year. It highlights fragmented pathways, weak long-term condition management, and stark inequalities, and calls for national audit of the entire patient pathway, comprehensive local pathways, and bone health questions to be added to the NHS Health Check.…
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The Cornwall Arthritis Trust is thrilled to be partnering again with Sally Crabtree from Art Connexion to share this, their second podcast episode.
Tune in for inspiring interviews with leading voices—including Professor Tony Woolf and Rachel Faulkner, plus practical tips and empowering advice for anyone living with Arthritis or other MSK conditions.
Whether you’re looking for expert insights or just a bit of motivation, this podcast is for you.
We know that December can be a busy and stressful month, especially when you have a long-term condition.
NRAS has therefore added a new section to their website, which features lots of tips to help you through the festive season and into the new year.
Researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands invite people to take a survey as part of a research study about how people living with chronic MSK to share their views on massage therapy as a form of pain management.
The survey is open until 31st January 2026.
You can access the survey here.
