New methotrexate information sheet available

psoriasis associationYou likely know about the use of Methotrexate in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease – but did you know it is also used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)?

The Psoriasis Association is pleased to share an updated version of its popular information sheet about Methotrexate, produced as part of an ongoing commitment to providing reliable, good quality health information. Methotrexate is often used on its own to treat psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, however it is sometimes used in conjunction with other medications, such as biologics, in order to help the other medication work more effectively by preventing the body from building up antibodies.…

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Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) Quality Standard launch

RCCThe Royal College of Chiropractors’ Quality Standards are tools designed to help deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. They are a series of specific, concise quality statements with associated measures that provide aspirational, but achievable, markers of high-quality patient care covering the treatment of different conditions. They also form an important part in the process of improving quality and patient outcomes.

Launched at the 2026 Summer Conference is the RCC Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) Quality Standard. It covers the recognition, assessment and referral of patients suspected of having axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA).…

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One set of Standards for Regulators including BASRaT

BASRaT has welcomed the news that the PSA is introducing a single set of Regulation Standards to apply to both Accredited Registers and Statutory Regulators. This aligns the standards for BASRaT with regulators including the GMC and HCPC.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is the UK’s independent regulatory oversight body. Working with the PSA, BASRaT regulates and guides Sport Rehabilitators on their role and responsibilities ensuring professional competency and development.

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The State of MSK health

The report is a collection of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. It is a resource for healthcare professionals, policy makers, public heath leads, researchers, people with these conditions, and anyone interested in MSK health. Arthritis UK believes that with the best information you can build awareness, make more informed decisions, feel more confident and ultimately help more people with MSK conditions, such as arthritis.

The State of Musculoskeletal Health | Arthritis UK

APPG on Osteoporosis – Access to Medicines Inquiry

ROS and APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health Inquiry Report on Access to Medicines

An upcoming report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Osteoporosis and Bone Health highlights the “critical need for system-wide reform” to address barriers to osteoporosis medication in the NHS, leaving millions of people at risk of life-threatening fractures.

Fractures caused by osteoporosis are preventable. A timely diagnosis and a treatment plan can prevent fractures. But there is an enormous treatment gap with two-thirds of people who need anti-osteoporosis medications missing out on them – around 90,000 people every year.…

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Review of JIA Care

NCEPODA report into JIA care from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death has just been published. Joint Care? A review of the quality of care provided to children and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis covers care pathways, transition to adult services, access to medications, holistic care and education and training. It sets out recommendations for improvement.

Recommendations

  • Raise awareness of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and its symptoms with the healthcare professionals who will see this group of patients.


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GIRFT and elective community MSK waiting times

GIRFT is getting started on a £3.5m programme of activity working with 17 ICBs with the highest waiting lists for elective community MSK services.

The focus is on reducing waiting times for a community MSK appointment; to improve access to MSK treatment and support people back to work.

The GIRFT MSK Community Delivery Programme will see each ICB receive funding and support to develop more efficient ways of getting MSK patients treated, off waiting lists and back onto the path of employment.…

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New Network of Chartered Physiotherapists Working in Obesity

Are you a physiotherapist, associate practitioner or student interested in supporting people living with obesity? If this is you, we need you on our team!

Obesity management is an exciting and emerging area of physiotherapy clinical practice. We are a group of 6 physiotherapists looking to develop a network to share knowledge and new evidence, offer peer support, promote the role of physiotherapy, and ultimately develop ‘gold standard’ physiotherapy guidelines for people living with obesity. We want to be leading together on best practice physiotherapy interventions to best support people living with obesity and metabolic disease.…

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National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit Report

The National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) State of the Nation Summary Report 2024 was published on 10 October 2024.

NEIAA is commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP) and is delivered by the British Society for Rheumatology.  

The audit aims to improve the quality of care for people living with inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disease, and systemic vasculitis, collecting information on all adults with a new diagnosis in English and Welsh specialist rheumatology departments. …

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New report on innovation in MSK health

The NIHR Innovation Observatory has undertaken a global horizon scan, supported by ORUK, to identify emerging MSK medical and digital health and care technologies with the potential to reduce the occurrence of MSK conditions, improve health outcomes and provide efficiencies within delivery of health and care services for people with poor MSK conditions.

It is anticipated that the research findings will be used to highlight early-stage technological innovations to prevent and manage MSK conditions and identify areas of unmet need. The report includes a breakdown of 109 innovative technologies (either regulated medical devices or digital interventions.…

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