Category: Patients

New2JIA Right Start service

A new service from NRAS, New2JIA Right Start, was launched in November to offer support to families of children newly diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

The service aims to help families better understand JIA, feel more in control of managing their child’s condition, and not feel alone at what can be a daunting and overwhelming time. New2JIA Right Start has initially been launched at five hospitals, but by May next year all hospitals who treat children with JIA can refer families to this new service.…

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SMILE-RA e-learning modules

SMILE enables you to find out about different aspects of living with RA in a unique and engaging way and involve your family as you can do it in your own time, at your own pace and re-visit modules of particular interest.

It’s free to register and very easy to use. You select which module you want to watch and there are currently five modules to choose from. We shall be launching the sixth module soon!

The current modules are:

SMILE module names

Visit the nras.org.uk…

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What do A.S. patients value and need?

New research from NASS reveals what patients with axial SpA value during diagnosis, treatment and care 

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has released the findings of its latest research initiative in a report titled ‘What do patients value and need in the diagnosis, treatment and care of axial spondyloarthritis?’ 

The research set out to understand the needs and values of people living with axial SpA in diagnosing and managing the condition and to assess the extent to which these are reflected in people’s experiences of services.…

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Physical Activity Resources from Moving Medicine

Moving Medicine Launches Physical Activity Resources on Anxiety, Type 1 Diabetes, Obesity, and Menopause

Moving Medicine have launched four new resources designed to help healthcare professionals have better conversations about physical activity with people suffering from anxiety, people with type 1 diabetes, people who are obese, and people experiencing menopause.

The free online consultation guides cover the main benefits of physical activity, as well as addressing common barriers that healthcare professionals encounter when talking to people about becoming more active and offering support and ideas on how to navigate them.…

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Failings in osteoporosis diagnosis and care

Parliamentary inquiry finds systemic failings in osteoporosis diagnosis and care 

On Wednesday 30 November 2022, staff members, volunteers and trustees from the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) joined Parliamentarians in Westminster to launch a report based on the findings of the All–Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Osteoporosis and Bone Health’s inquiry into primary care. 

Primary care is the front door to the NHS, with GPs playing a vital role in identifying people at high risk of breaking bones before they happen.…

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NASS medication guidance during pregnancy

NASS hosting Facebook Live with BSR on latest medication guidance during pregnancy and breastfeeding 

The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) will be live on the NASS Facebook page at 1pm, 15 December 2022 to explain the latest guidance on medication for inflammatory arthritis when you’re trying for a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding. The video will stay on the Facebook page and be uploaded to the NASS website afterwards.

Watch the video here on Facebook from 15 December.

BCA Launches Patient Charter

The British Chiropractic Association Launches Patient Charter to Members and the Public

In November, the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) launched its new Patient Charter to its members and the general public, as part of the second phase of its ‘Repositioning Project’ which aims to continue the BCA’s mission to be ‘the home of chiropractors who put patients first’. The Patient Charter is a pledge, from BCA chiropractors to their patients, to remind them of the quality care they’ll receive which is laid out in such a way that any patient can start a conversation from it, and any chiropractor can explain it without much labour.…

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Boost Your Immunity vaccinations campaign

This autumn/winter, flu vaccination and COVID-19 boosters will be critical to maximising uptake of both vaccines amongst eligible groups.

An integrated campaign will encourage uptake by signalling the importance of both vaccines and informing the public about the threat of both viruses circulating this winter, to overcome barriers and remind people of the benefits of vaccines.

Eligible cohorts for the COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine:

  • Pregnant women
  • People 50 years old and over
  • People aged 5-50 in groups at increased risk
  • Residents in care homes
  • Health and social care workers

Eligible cohorts for the free flu vaccine:

  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
  • all primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) and some secondary school aged children
  • those aged 6 months of age upwards in a clinical risk group
  • pregnant women
  • those aged 50 years and over
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if the carer gets sick
  • those that live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

Versus Arthritis Cost-of-living crisis

On World Arthritis Day, Versus Arthritis sought to shine a light on the crisis people with arthritis are facing this winter — by calling on the Prime Minister to take urgent action to protect them. 

In September, Versus Arthritis surveyed almost 4,000 people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions to ask how the cost-of-living crisis was affecting them, and the results were staggering: 94% of people saying that cold weather has a negative impact on their condition, but 84% are using less fuel because of rising costs.…

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School Toolkit for EDS and JHS

The Hypermobility Syndromes Association gets a lot of questions about children struggling with the return to school, and enquiries from teachers looking to support hypermobile students as we approach half term.

HMSA has prepared the School Toolkit for EDS and JHS to address this need.

You can pick up the printed resource for educators in the HMSA shop, or for more information on how to help, browse the online toolkit that the HMSA launched with EDS UK last year:

https://theschooltoolkit.org/