Collaboration

Collaboration produces updated IHP

JIA@NRAS, Versus Arthritis and CCAA have all together produced a new updated Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) template for use in schools and with families.

The template is specific to children/young people with paediatric rheumatological conditions. It contains plentiful tips and ideas to help support children and young people in school/college/nursery and covers all ages. Members may be interested to take a look and refer families / clinicians as appropriate.

It can be found under the Education Resources tab on the ccaa.org.uk…

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MSK Innovation Accelerator programme

The MSK Innovation Accelerator, the UK’s leading entrepreneur programme for early-stage musculoskeletal (MSK) MedTech innovation, will be boosted in 2024/25 by the support of NVIDIA. The programme, which is hosted by MedTech SuperConnector in partnership with Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), was successfully piloted last year. It is designed to accelerate the development of MSK innovation and create and scale early-stage ventures across the UK. It involves a 6-month intensive learning journey, providing participants with entrepreneurship training, masterclasses and access to expertise.…

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Cornwall Arthritis Trust’s Freedom to Move

Freedom to Move – an opportunity to experience education, movement and creativity

Cornwall Arthritis Trust, working in partnership with Artconnexion, have brought communities together to exchange knowledge about living with Arthritis and MSK conditions, as well as emphasising self-management, positive thinking, movement, creativity, and the importance of connecting.

The programme helps people discover what happens when you mix Creativity, Education and Movement – it’s a CEMical reaction of delight.

The programme was positively received at Miners Court Day Care centre in Reduth, Cornwall.…

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Physio First’s flagship Data for Impact project

In October 2024, Physio First’s Data for Impact (DfI) and Quality Assurance schemes will be relocating to the prestigious Centre for Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health Research at Keele University. This strategic move signifies a substantial advancement in the quality of care for musculoskeletal conditions, benefiting both clinicians and patients alike.

The integration of the DfI with the Keele University-led National MSK Audit and Research Database will provide a comprehensive platform for real-time data collection and analysis from approximately 700 private practices and NHS community services.…

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Free Physio First skills thoracic spine evening

The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM) is hosting a Physio First Skills Exchange evening on the thoracic spine at the SOMM HQ in Liverpool.

Through case scenarios and practical demonstrations, experienced and more recently qualified physiotherapists, as well as final year students, will be encouraged to contribute their thoughts and ideas, and given the opportunity to refresh techniques, discover new ones and share top tips in a safe, collaborative space.

The session is completely free and all physios, whatever level and wherever they work, are welcome to join in.…

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Exciting opportunity for MSK innovators

Applications are now open for this year’s MSK Innovation Accelerator programme, hosted by MedTech SuperConnector. The programme, which is supported by ORUK, was successfully piloted last year. It is designed to accelerate the development of musculoskeletal innovation and thereby create and scale early-stage MSK ventures across the UK. It involves a 6-month intensive learning journey, providing participants with entrepreneurship training, masterclasses and access to expertise. The accelerator learning content is part-time.

The MSK Innovation Accelerator programme is open to MSK related Innovations at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or above from research fellows, postdocs & late-stage PhD candidates, or innovators from Academic Research Centres, small to medium size enterprises with research laboratories, or clinical institutes with a medical technology in development in the lab or digital environment.…

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Promoting MSK Literacy in Young People

This month sees the latest tour of a musculoskeletal themed educational show, co-funded by Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), that introduces young people to biomechanics and the importance of bone, joint and muscle health. The Research and Test Lab (RATLab) tour uses a combination of science, hi-tech projections and puppetry devised by theatre company Green Ginger. During a visit to RATLab, children interact with a team of engaging characters – mostly rats, dogs and pigs – who use engineering to solve everyday problems.…

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Co-production works well locally – let’s ensure it happens nationally

Guest blog by Rachel Power, Chief Executive, Patients Association

At the Patients Association, we’ve seen the transformative power of shared decision making and patient partnership.

Work we’ve done in partnership to empower patients with musculoskeletal conditions by giving them the tools to make informed treatment choices demonstrated how patient partnership delivers for patients and the NHS.

That project with patients, healthcare professionals, the Patient Information Forum and Nottinghamshire ICB focused on removing barriers to shared decision making. As a collective, participants reviewed patient resources – some already developed, others in development – designed to support patients’ decisions.…

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Co-production in action – voices heard and lessons learned

Guest blog, with thanks to the panellists Claire Blamey, Gareth Gault and Shabir Aziz for their feedback.

As we prepare for publication of the report of the ARMA Inquiry into MSK and health inequalities, we look back at how the voices of those with lived experience of MSK conditions have been vital – from the initial evidence gathering to discussion of the dissemination plan.

At the inception of the inquiry process we recruited a panel of paid lived experience experts who brought their unique perspectives of different MSK conditions, backgrounds, and experience of the health system and MSK services to discussions.…

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Chronic pain: What matters to you?

This research aims to better understand what it means to live with and manage chronic pain, from everyone’s perspective. You now have the opportunity to say what matters to you by participating in this survey.

By answering the questionnaire, you can help overcome some of the current uncertainties and challenges of chronic pain management. Your knowledge will enable the researchers to collaborate closely with patients and patient organizations to develop better care that are meaningful for people living with chronic pain and their families.…

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