Arthritis News

Community of Practice meeting – 5 August 2025

MSK Health Inequalities Community of Practice Meeting

Are you working to reduce inequalities in MSK health? Would you welcome a chance to connect with others tackling the same challenges?

Take a break and join us online for our next lunchtime meet-up.

Tuesday 5 August 2025
12:30pm – 1:30pm

ARMA’s MSK Health Inequalities Community of Practice is a welcoming space for anyone committed to improving MSK health equity. Whether you’re just starting out or already involved in local projects, this monthly session is a great way to:

Hear short presentations on key issues and innovative approaches
Take part in small group discussions to share ideas and experiences
Build supportive connections with others facing similar challenges

Why join?…

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10 Year Plan Response

ARMA welcomes the 10 Year Health Plan and calls for a national MSK strategy to unlock its full potential

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) welcomes the publication of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England and its clear commitment to tackling widening health inequalities and focusing on healthy life expectancy. We are pleased to see many of the themes and recommendations from ARMA’s Act Now report reflected in the Plan, including a commitment to listening to the voice of patients and directing investment towards communities with entrenched health disparities.…

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ORUK research funding opportunities

ORUK is one of the leading funders of MSK research, working in partnership with other charities and academic institutions. This year it has its strongest ever line-up of funding opportunities for MSK researchers.

BOA/ORUK Research Fellowship 2025

The BOA & Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) are pleased to announce a joint research fellowship, with the goal of developing a pipeline of research-active orthopaedic surgeons. This scheme will award two fellowships of up to £65k for a project in any area of orthopaedics each year.…

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JIA Awareness Week 2025

This year, JIA Awareness Week is taking place between 7th-11th July. The campaign will be focusing on short educational videos covering various aspects of this condition, in hopes of raising awareness for all those living with JIA and AJIA (Adult Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis).

NRAS has made a series of short, sharable videos which outline JIA and its symptoms, the medicines that typically are used to treat those living with it and how younger patients may manage their condition at school. These will become available throughout the week as we share more!…

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Core Skills in MSK Care – Glasgow

Core Skills is a practical programme designed to equip primary healthcare professionals with the confidence and expertise to accurately diagnose and manage MSK conditions. This training from Versus Arthritis provides delegates a supportive environment to develop confidence and skills in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with MSK conditions.

Previous delegates reported a 47% increase in knowledge of the subject area following the training, a 30% increase in examination skills and a 31% increase in confidence diagnosing and treating patients with MSK conditions.…

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Celebrating One Year of Impact: Act Now Report on MSK Health Inequalities

ARMA is proud to mark the one-year anniversary of the Act Now report on MSK health inequalities and deprivation. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve released a new Impact Report showcasing the reach and influence the original report has had over the past year.

The Impact Report was launched at a reception held at The King’s Fund in London. ARMA members and MSK professionals gathered to reflect on the progress inspired by Act Now and to look ahead at what’s next including the launch of the new MSK Inequalities Community of Practice.…

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Versus Arthritis Work Adjustment Plan

Designed to help people with arthritis address work-related barriers and self-manage their condition in work

Versus Arthritis is aware that working with arthritis can be challenging, with a disability employment gap of 20% for those living with arthritis compared to those without arthritis.

Versus Arthritis surveys and research in partnership with CMHW offered an insight into what could make a difference to work outcomes for people living with the condition.

As a result of these findings, the information on the work area of the Versus Arthritis website has been updated.…

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More DEXA scanners roll out across England

DEXA-scanner expansion to deliver 29,000 extra bone-density scans a year.

Following sustained engagement by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health and our fantastic ARMA supporters, DHSC has confirmed the roll-out of 13 additional DEXA scanners across England. The move is expected to create capacity for around 29,000 extra scans annually, supporting earlier diagnosis and shorter waits for patients.

ORUK launches fund for MSK start-ups

ORUK funding Orthopaedic Research UK has launched this year’s Ronald Furlong Fund for startups solving unmet needs in MSK health.

Named in honour of the charity’s founder, who combined a successful career as an orthopaedic surgeon with an equally successful career as an entrepreneur, the Fund offers up to £100K to UK-based startups to help accelerate innovative and commercially viable ideas.

Previous recipients of the Ronald Furling Fund include Radii Devices, which deploys s AI and biomechanical modelling to help clinicians design better fitting prosthetic sockets; Novara Therapeutics, which is commercialising the world’s first patented bio-specific solution for the targeted diagnosis and treatment of bone microfractures , and Renovos Biologics, which is pioneering the use of a nanoclay in injectable gel form that can carry biologic drugs capable of augmenting bone tissue regeneration.…

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ARMA announces appointment of new Chief Executive

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Adrian Bradley as its new Chief Executive, starting mid-June.

Adrian joins after eight and a half years as Head of Healthier Communities at the English Football League (EFL) Trust – the national charity that represents, advises and supports a network of seventy-two charities linked to professional football clubs across England and Wales. He has extensive knowledge and experience of tackling health inequalities in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.…

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