Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
Influencing policy and care together for best lifelong musculoskeletal health
One of the challenges of promoting musculoskeletal health is the lack of profile in policy and amongst the public. This is where ARMA can really come into its own. By using the strength of our combined voice to amplify our key messages we can make more of an impact. You can join this combined voice and make us even more powerful.
It was great to see how many ARMA members supported the CSP’s initiative for older people’s day focused on falls prevention.…
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The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) is pleased to announce the recent publication of four revised commissioning guides with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. These NICE-accredited guides set out best practice care pathways to assist CCGs in designing optimal care for their populations. We are extremely grateful to all those involved in the rigorous development and accreditation processes. The guides, which can be found here, are:
Following the recent BOA and ARMA position statements on the rationing of elective orthopaedic services, we are urging stakeholders to consider these guides and to promote their adoption wherever appropriate with local CCGs.…
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As an active member of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC), the Arthritis Research UK policy, campaigns and public affairs teams have worked closely with the Chairs of the coalition on the DBC’s new report. The report demonstrating the huge problems which many people experience when trying to access Personal Independence Payments, and includes statistics from the DBC Big Benefits Survey – with over 1500 responses specifically from people with musculoskeletal conditions- and an in depth case study provided by Arthritis Research UK about Debs, who had her PIP reduced and lost her Motability care as a result.…
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Guest blog by Catherine Pope, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Chair.
Jane left hospital after a stroke and was seen promptly at home by a physiotherapist, who worked with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop a plan for her recovery.
Members of that team visited regularly, and Jane made strong progress – supported by her husband, Robert – towards achieving her goal of getting back out into her garden and getting her green fingers dirty.
Meanwhile, another Jane, in another part of the country – perhaps even the neighbouring town – realised no such goal.…
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The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society are sad to report that after six years with NASS as Chief Executive, Debbie Cook is moving on, out of the medical health sector. During her time with NASS Debbie has overseen the transformation of the charity into one that AS charities around the world aspire to emulate.
Her bold leadership and strong vision, whilst always remaining sensitive to the needs of the membership, have defined NASS’s approach and will set the tone for the future.…
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We would like to remind everyone that October is Lupus Awareness Month. Throughout the month LUPUS UK will be sharing facts, videos, information and case studies on social media. We would be very grateful to any organisations that can spread the word about our #THISISLUPUS campaign and direct people towards the LUPUS UK website for more information or support.
Three factsheets have recently been revised and updated to meet the requirements of The Information Standard.
The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK (EDS UK) has launched free membership alongside a brand new website and logo. This is a major change for the charity in its 30th year and is intended to attract new supporters.
The website is kept up to date with news and the latest information on the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes as well as vital support. Have a look here: www.ehlers-danlos.org.
The charity is also proud to be working in partnership with the Royal College of GPs this year to create an EDS toolkit for GPs.…
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NHSE/ARMA Webinar Gains Traction on YouTube
The “Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Training in the NHS” webinar has received almost 300 views on YouTube; please continue to share and promote this important resource which highlights physical inactivity as the largest public health problem of the 21st century and outlines how Exercise Medicine and Musculoskeletal Medicine, delivered within the NHS, can have a positive impact on public health. View the Webinar here.
FSEM (UK) Responds to Draft WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity
The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK) has responded to a recent consultation by the World Health Organisation on physical activity.…
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During Back Care Awareness Week, which this year is targeted at the Education sector, BackCare will be conducting media interviews and distributing promotional packs containing posters, pamphlets/leaflets and flyers.
Their aim is to disseminate guidance and advice on maintaining healthy backs for children during their school life and beyond.
BackCare have issued a press release, which you can download here.
Back Care Awareness Week runs 2 – 6 October 2017.
If you are interested in the information packs, you can get them here.…
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Physical activity seems to have been the theme for the last few weeks. The latest phase of Public Health England’s ‘One You’ campaign Active 10 aims to get inactive people doing 10 minutes of brisk walking per day. Whilst I have seen some questioning of “shock tactics”, the statistic that 41% of people aged 40 – 60 in the UK do not do 10 minutes of brisk walking in a month certainly helped gain coverage. I’m sure the new Active 10 app will get some people walking on a daily basis.…
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