Category: Resources

Relationships Matter booklet

NRAS is pleased to announce the launch of their new booklet, Relationships Matter, a guide to relationships for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and adult juvenile idiopathic arthritis (AJIA).

A diagnosis of RA or JIA effects every aspect of a person’s life and the lives of those closest to them, including any current or future partner. In this booklet, we discuss a range of topics, including the impact of these conditions on dating, sex and maintaining healthy long-term relationships.

The booklet is inclusive of all sexualities and includes information and tips, as well as anecdotes from people living with these conditions.…

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Ensuring MSK is in the new ten year plan

ARMA CEOby Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

On the morning of 5 July 2024, ARMA members gathered on Zoom for initial reflections on the election result. The date had been set many months ago, and it wasn’t the ideal timing. Since then, we have had a little more time to see just what the new government would do. It is too early to say if this will be a turning point for the future of health and healthcare, but they have certainly not wasted any time.…

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ORUK hosts first national Bunions Think Tank

Orthopaedic Research (ORUK) recently hosted the first National Bunions Think Tank, in Association with Rosetrees Trust. The Think Tank included many of the country’s leading foot health experts, including primary care physicians, podiatrists, physiotherapists, surgeons, academics and research funders, who came together to discuss ways to improve patient care and identify areas requiring further research. think tank logoThe consensus in the room was that bunions, despite affecting around 10 million people in the UK alone, is underfunded and under-recognised as a serious, debilitating condition that impacts people’s personal, social and professional lives.…

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Managing Persistent Pain e-learning resource

A new e-learning resource available to all healthcare professionals working across roles and sectors in Wales entitled “Managing Persistent Pain”. It has been by launched by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).

This package has been developed in collaboration by HEIW, primary care representatives and pharmacy colleagues together with the National Clinical Lead for Persistent Pain. The resource has been developed to encourage healthcare professionals to think more broadly about the management persistent pain rather than focusing on medication and interventions.…

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The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2024

The State of Musculoskeletal Health is Versus Arthritis’ annual statistics compendium of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This includes how many people have these conditions, who is at risk of developing these conditions, and its impact on people, the health system and society. Health inequalities relating to musculoskeletal conditions have been highlighted throughout the document. 

The new 2024 version includes new topics, including new data on chronic pain in Scotland and a summary of prevalence figures for some of the main types of arthritis.…

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Bridging the Gap Report

We Are Undefeatable has launched the report from Big Talk, a public consultation which went live last year. Read more about their report "Bridging the gap: understanding how to support people with long term health conditions to become more physically active".

The report covers:

  • The motivators and barriers that people living with long term health conditions face being active
  • Why the NHS is only a starting point for people with health conditions to become more active
  • How the ‘empathy gap’ may be hindering support for people with health conditions
  • The pivotal role that health charities can and must play in supporting physical activity
  • What friends, families and professionals need to feel more confident encouraging physical activity
  • Why local leadership and coordination is a critical enabler
  • The views of professionals across a range of sectors

The report outlines the actions We Are Undefeatable is already taking in response to these insights.…

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Recent publications on health inequalities

There have been a number of publications and toolkits on health inequalities published in recent weeks. These are not MSK-specific but will include useful information, data and resources for those working in MSK.

Illustrating the relationship between poverty and NHS services is a long read from the Kings Fund.

Health inequalities in 2040
Current and projected patterns of illness by deprivation in England.
The Health Foundation lists chronic pain as one of the 4 conditions projected to increase at a faster rate in more deprived areas.…

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No NRAS Live this month!

Due to many of the NRAS team going to the BSR conference later in the month, there is unfortunately no NRAS Live this month. However, if you have missed any of their live broadcasts – remember you can watch ALL previous NRAS Lives via their YouTube channel.
 
They have even made this handy playlist, which has all previous lives events in order and ready for a weekend binge!