The shielding guidance has changed so that from 1 June 2020 people who are shielding are advised that they may go outside once per day following strict social distancing. No other aspect of the guidance has changed, so people are still advised that they should remain 2 metres away from other members of their household, minimise the time spent in shared spaces, etc. Some people with MSK conditions are shielding, either because of the combination of medication they are taking or because they have other conditions that make them extremely vulnerable.…
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Category: Arthritis News
Couch to 5K while social distancing
Public Health England are working in partnership with BBC Get Inspired, Sport England and London Sport to launch a 9-week Couch to 5K challenge that will promote the app as an accessible way of becoming physically active while social distancing measures remain in place.
Every Mind Matters: sleep struggles during lockdown
New campaign to help those with sleep struggles during lockdown
Mental Health Awareness Week took place from 18-24 May 2020. To mark the event, Public Health England launched new advice on its ‘Every Mind Matters’ platform to help people improve their sleep. It comes as new data from Public Health England shows that more than four in 10 (41%) 1 Brits are experiencing more sleep problems than usual, with over half of 16-29-year olds (52%) 2 the most likely to be affected.…
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Moving Medicine wins Patient Care Award
Moving Medicine, an innovative online tool designed for healthcare professionals to promote and support their patients to get more active, has been awarded the patient-centred care award at the Royal College of Physicians’ Excellence in Patient Care Awards 2020.
The Moving Medicine tool has specific modules for key common conditions: cancer, depression, MSK pain, COPD.
Never before has physical activity had such an essential role to play in the treatment and prevention of disease as the nation recovers from COVID19.…
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New covid-19 well-being information
New information on preventing musculoskeletal #bone, joint and muscle pain, and supporting mental well-being, has been compiled by NHS England, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Versus Arthritis, Public Health England and ARMA.
See the Managing your physical and mental health and wellbeing page on the CSP website.
Arthritis Action Webinar “COVID-19 and Arthritis: Live Q&A”
Arthritis Action invites you to a webinar dedicated to addressing coronavirus concerns for people with arthritis.
“COVID-19 and Arthritis: Live Q&A” will take place on Thursday 18 June 2020, 11am – 12pm.
The webinar will be presented by Arthritis Action CEO, Shantel Irwin, who will be asking their Medical Advisor, Dr Wendy Holden, Consultant Rheumatologist at North Hampshire Hospitals, patients’ most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and Arthritis.
Anyone interested can register here. Attendees are invited to submit questions relating to this topic on or before Friday 5 June 2020, by emailing onlinesme@arthritisaction.org.uk…
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NRAS New2RA and Chatbot
New2RA 
Right Start
The NRAS New2RA Right Start service supports people newly diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis to understand their diagnosis and how it is likely to affect them. Getting the right, supportive start can help people to make adjustments to their behaviour, lifestyle and health beliefs and understand why self-management is essential, and learn how to make those important first steps to managing their disease effectively.
Further information can be accessed on the NRAS New2RA Right Start service page. This service is essential during this time for those newly diagnosed during the COVID-19 crisis, offering extra support when appointments are being delayed.…
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Working Together conference in November
First ever ARMA multi-disciplinary MSK health conference
Working Together to change the face of MSK
30 November 2020
Venue: Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London
ARMA holds its first ever multi-disciplinary MSK health conference – Working Together to change the face of MSK.
This one-day conference is a multi-disciplinary event covering some of the latest trends and practical examples on working together/integrated care for musculoskeletal health, transcending disciplines and boundaries.
The conference will support the delivery of high quality MSK services through a focus on excellent services, from prevention at a population level to excellent specialist services in orthopaedics, rheumatology and pain.…
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NRAS Live and Here for you
NRAS is adapting to these challenging times and has been hosting live broadcasts via Facebook Live and webinars since the beginning of this crisis. You can watch any of the recorded sessions again on the NRAS Live – Ask Your Questions page.
We’ve also launched the Here For You service, linking up people who are in need of a friend during this time of self-isolation. Our trained telephone support volunteers are really able to understand the difficulties people may be facing and the anxieties because they all live with RA themselves.…
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CEO update: Not back but forward
Over the last few weeks I have been so impressed with the way the world of MSK has responded to the extraordinary challenge of the coronavirus outbreak. I have seen everyone working to deliver across professional and organisational boundaries at unprecedented speed. Of course, no one ever wants to face a crisis like this and we can’t work at this pace all the time. But we have shown what can be achieved if we pull together around a common aim.
It’s not been easy.…
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