The State of Musculoskeletal Health is a collection of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This includes how many people have these conditions, the number at risk of developing these conditions, 
the impact of these on a person, on the health system and society, and inequalities that can be found within all the topics above. It is a resource for healthcare professionals, policy makers, public heath leads, researchers, people with these conditions, and anyone interested in MSK health.…
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Category: Arthritis News
The Future of Remote Monitoring & RA
NRAS Live: Remote Monitoring with King’s Improvement Science
Join NRAS on Wednesday 28th June 2023 for a discussion with King’s Improvement Science about their new remote monitoring system and how this may help the RA community.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease which causes pain and inflammation, affecting around 1% of the UK population. The traditional appointments system, with face-to-face appointments at fixed intervals, can mean that patients struggle to access care when they need it most – when they are having a ‘flare’, or increase in symptoms.…
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ORUK’s MSK for the Workplace programme
Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), in association with the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) has launched the MSK for the Workplace programme, focused on improving the MSK health of the working age population. It follows recent news that more than 2.5 million people are currently unemployed in the UK due to health-related issues, including back and neck pain, at a time when the government has made it clear that getting people back to work is central to its plans for economic growth.…
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Sign joint letter to end the postcode lottery for FLS care
The Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) is asking healthcare professionals to sign a joint letter to be published in the Sunday Express calling for an end to the postcode lottery for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).
If you are a healthcare professional, you can sign the letter here, and the ROS would be very grateful if you could share it with other healthcare professionals through your organisation.
Fracture Liaison Services are the world standard model for fracture prevention. They allow people who have suffered their first fracture to be identified, diagnosed and treated, in a timely way, with anti-osteoporosis medications which keep bones strong.…
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Join a chorus of local voices for MSK
Integrated Care Boards have been in place for almost a year now. Over that year, we have seen the profile and status of MSK health rising at a national level. It is difficult to tell if that profile is reflected at an ICB level. If not, then all the national profile in the world won’t make a difference to people with MSK conditions. That’s why ARMA is making local MSK services a priority with a new project, and we need you to get involved.…
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NRAS Celebrating artists
On #WorldArtDay, NRAS wants to celebrate artists with RA & JIA, and hear about their artistic journeys.
Visit the NRAS blog, where artists from the RA & JIA communities share some of their work, along with some words from them about how creating art helps them cope with their condition.
ORUK Invention for Innovation: AI in MSK
Orthopaedic Research UK is seeking to co-fund research applications with the National Institute for Health and Care Research that have the aim of transforming musculoskeletal health outcomes through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The April 2023 NIHR Invention for Innovation Product Development Award call 26 and Challenge call 15 invite proposals in AI in musculoskeletal health for research that falls into any of the following areas:
- Diagnosis
- Self-management
- Treatment optimisation
- Monitoring
- Risk stratification
- Health economics
To make a significant contribution to the health of the majority of patients demanding support, and reduce the costs to the NHS, the application of AI technology must be broadened and accelerated and access to data improved.…
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Susan Booth joins the Ehlers-Danlos support UK as CEO
The trustees of The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK are delighted to announce that Susan Booth, recently Executive Director, Development at Target Ovarian Cancer, has been appointed to succeed Kay Julier. Susan will take up the position from 1 July and work alongside Kay from mid-June.
Stephen Stacey, chair of trustees, said: “When Kay told me that she wanted to step down at the end of June, I knew we had a tough task to find a successor. I am confident that Susan will take the organisation to the next level, building on the deeply impressive work of Kay and her team.…
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Budget Announcement
MSK conditions are one of the leading causes of disability in the UK, resulting in millions of lost working days in the UK, as well as significant numbers leaving the workforce each year.
Not only does this have a serious impact on those affected, in terms of income and mental health, but it also means that their much-needed skills and experience are lost to the economy.
That’s why it is welcome news that the Government has announced a package of support for those with disabilities or affected by long-term sickness, as part of this year’s Spring Budget.…
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Moving from exclusion to inclusion in digital health and care
This long read from the Kings Fund looks at practical suggestions for addressing digital exclusion. The recommendations are grouped under three headings:
- fixing the fundamentals
- structuring services around people’s needs and preferences
- improving the quality and consistency of services.
The article considers a range of issues, including how to provide devices, the best ways to provide data, building digital skills and working with communities to develop more inclusive services. It is must-read for anyone involved in MSK digital projects.